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The Heads of State and Government adopted a joint statement, in which they agreed to strengthen the EU’s presence in the Mediterranean Sea region, fight human smuggling, prevent illegal immigration and strengthen internal solidarity among the EU Member States.

"I am pleased with the outcome of today’s European Council. It is inexcusable to profit and benefit from other people’s misfortune, so it is important to stop human smuggling activities in the Mediterranean Sea as soon as possible," stressed Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma. 

The statement calls for the capacity of the EU "Triton" and "Poseidon" operations to be strengthened by tripling their financial and material resources and launching systematic actions to identify, intercept and destroy boats used for human smuggling.

"Latvia is also ready to offer its support to the Member States affected by the refugee flows. We are ready to offer our expert help to speed up the processing of asylum requests, along with technical support in the form of helicopter, patrol boats, mobile surveillance vehicles and border control experts,” said the Prime Minister at the meeting.

The EU Heads of State and Government also emphasised the need to give support to third countries in order to reinforce land and sea border surveillance and prevent illegal migration flows in the Mediterranean Sea. "It is important to prevent the causes of migration, and development cooperation is therefore essential," said Laimdota Straujuma.

The Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU is ready to take action on the road map to implement the decisions adopted today by the EU Heads of State and Government and will report back to the EU leaders at the European Council meeting in June on the results achieved.

"Triton" is a coordinated joint operation by the "Frontex" Agency which was requested by Italy and launched on 1 November 2014 in the central Mediterranean to support Italy's efforts. 21 Member States participate in the Triton joint operation.

The aim of the "Frontex" Agency’s "POSEIDON" joint maritime operation is to ensure maritime border surveillance using technical equipment and experts provided by the Member States in order to reduce the threat of illegal immigration at Greece's (EU) external borders.