In a letter sent to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and to which the Lusa agency had access, the Ministers of the Interior and Migration of Italy, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania and Finland suggest measures to respond to the "challenges relating to the asylum and migration system of the European Union (EU), with a sharp increase in irregular arrivals, [which] are unsustainable". "In order to reduce the overall pressure on our migration management, it is important that Member States have the possibility to transfer to these countries asylum seekers for whom a safe third country alternative exists", propose these 15 government officials (out of a total of 27 Member States), suggesting a revision of the concept of a safe third country in 2025 within the EU legal framework. In addition, the political representatives continue in the same letter, "we encourage the establishment of comprehensive, mutually beneficial and lasting partnerships with key partner countries along the migratory routes". This item refers to the cooperation agreements signed with Turkey and Tunisia or the cooperation protocol between Albania and Italy. "These partnerships are essential not only to manage irregular migration movements to Europe, but also to offer migrants an alternative to risking their lives on dangerous journeys", they add. Another suggested measure is to ensure "the return of people who do not need international protection", with the government officials considering this approach as "important for an EU-wide response to the management of irregular migration". "The signatory ministers share the conviction that the EU must continue to work towards creating a fairer, more humane, sustainable and effective asylum system worldwide, aimed at preventing and combating irregular migration at its roots and along the migratory routes, while providing adequate protection and shelter to those who need it and promoting return and reintegration. Unfortunately, we are far from this goal", they state in the letter sent to the European Commissioner for the area. The position comes two days after the EU Council (body in which the Member States are represented) adopted the "historical reform" of the European rules for migration and asylum, giving the final go-ahead to a pact that provides for "a fair sharing of responsibilities between the Member States". In all, the EU Council adopted 10 legislative acts reforming the European framework for the management of asylum and migration, and the countries now have two years to put them into practice, a process with the support of the European Commission, which will outline a common plan for assistance to the countries. Previously, in mid-April and after four years of discussions, the European Parliament approved the vast reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy, which provides for combating illegal immigration and mandatory solidarity between the bloc's Member States. Reinforced control of migrant arrivals in the EU, faster transfers of those who are not entitled to asylum and a mandatory solidarity mechanism for the benefit of the Member States under the greatest migratory pressure are planned. Europe, and especially the EU area, continues to be one of the main destinations for irregular migration. Read Also: Commissioner appeals to EP's courage to approve new EU migration pact (Portuguese version)