Frans Timmermans

After the launch of Triton he conducted the first evaluation of the operation with Avrampopoulos (See, The Commission, B, Implication in relevant policies, c Implementation of Triton). He presented the operational plan for Triton (with Mogherini)

After the launch of Triton he conducted the first evaluation of the operation with Avrampopoulos (See, The Commission, B, Implication in relevant policies, c Implementation of Triton). He presented the operational plan for Triton (with Mogherini)

In January 2016, Timmermans blundered on migrants’ figures, stating that: “More than half of the people now arriving to Europe come from countries where you can assume they have no reason to apply for refugee status. More than half, 60 percent”. Whereas figures provided by both the EU's border agency, Frontex, and the UN agency for refugees (UNHCR) paint a much more nuanced picture.

On the 4th of July 2017, Mr. Avramopoulos and Mr. Timmermans presented the Commission’s Action Plan to support Italy which contain the idea of drafting an NGO Code of Conduct. On the same day, he decried the work of NGOs performing SAR operation as counterproductive and in need of control. He said they were a pull factor encouraging migrants to take the journey

The Commission's Action plan presented (on 4th July 2017) by Timmermans and Avramopoulos also contain the idea of stepping up of training activities for LYCG

The Commission's Action plan presented (on 4th July 2017) by Timmermans and Avramopoulos develloped the idea of the establishment of the Libyan MRCC

Timmermans is one of the signatories of a letter (together with Mrs. Avramopoulos and Juncker) addressed to Paolo Gentiloni, establishing the creation of a permanent contact team in the Commission, led by Paraskevi Michou, Simon Mordue and Stefano Grassi (member of the Presidential Cabinet). This entity aims to ensure a permanent flow of information with the Italian authorities and rapid operational response from the Commission services. It would report directly to him and Mrs. Juncker and Avramopoulos. 

He participated in the Commission’s Action Plan to support Italy, which measures comprised notably prevention of arrivals to Italy by associating Libya to SAR operations. While few weeks later acknowledging before the College the inhumane living conditions for Migrants in Libya