EU High Representative Federica Mogherini met this afternoon with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, confirming the strong partnership between UNHCR and the European Union, and praising the excellent cooperation between the two organisations.

Mogherini and Grandi discussed the situation of refugees and migrants, including in the Middle East, Turkey, Libya, Afghanistan and in Africa, and the High Representative underlined the UNHCR's significant work in providing aid and humanitarian assistance to refugees.

She took the opportunity to update the High Commissioner on the EU’s latest work to support refugees and manage migration, including the new Migration Partnership Framework and the upcoming External Investment Plan.

Their meeting took place ahead of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants, to be held on 19 September in New York in the margins of the 71st UN General Assembly. Mogherini stressed the crucial role the UNHCR has to play in the follow-up process and confirmed the EU’s support and engagement to assist the process.

In June, the European Commission set out plans for aPartnership Framework to mobilise and enhance EU action and resources in its external work on managing migration.

The EU will seek tailor made partnerships with key third countries of origin and transit as well as host countries, using all policies and instruments at the EU's disposal.

The priorities are saving lives at sea, increasing returns, enabling migrants and refugees to stay closer to home and, in the long term, helping third countries to develop in order to address root causes of irregular migration.