The European Commission recently reported updates on progress made under the Migration Partnership Framework, the third such update the it has issued, and the initial steps taken toward actions on the Central Mediterranean Route agreed to in the Malta Declaration.

"Partnership is a key word in all policies of the European Union: together with our partners we tackle the main challenges of our times,” Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini, said in a release.

Mogherini serves as the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy.

The commission has made tangible progress on the Partnership Framework with respect to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Niger, where the number of migrants in Organisation for Migration (IOM) centers doubled in 2016 to 15,000, and 5,000 migrants voluntarily returned to their communities. On the Central Mediterranean Route, an increased focus will see $211 million used for migration-related projects that are aimed at reducing crossings, saving lives, continuing to counter smugglers and traffickers and increasing voluntary returns and resettlement.

“Through the Partnership Framework and the steps foreseen in the Malta Declaration, we have established a truly comprehensive migration policy, based on partnership and with the necessary investments and resources that will allow us to keep working together to save lives, dismantle criminal networks, provide people with better opportunities, manage together migratory flows in a sustainable, respectful and human manner," said Mogherini.