Thewesternbalkans.
According to some EU document, on 8 of December the EU member states have approved a significant tightening of Europe’s immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up “return hubs” for migrants outside the 27-nation bloc.
EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers reached an agreed position on a) a new common European return system for migrants staying in the EU unlawfully; b) a measure to establish a list of safe countries of origin at Union level and c) a proposal to update the reasons for determining a country to be a safe third country.
Ministers also adopted a decision establishing a mechanism to provide increased support for Member States facing increased migratory pressure.
Other issues on the agenda for Ministers included the threats to internal security posed by drones, the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime, and measures to strengthen and reinforce the functioning of the Schengen area.
Interior ministers meeting in Brussels voted for the first time on a series of measures presented this year by the European Commission to more strictly regulate the arrival and return of migrants.
These measures allow:
— The opening of centres outside the EU’s borders to which migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected would be sent, the so-called “return hubs”.
— Harsher penalties for migrants who refuse to leave European territory, including through longer periods of detention.
— Returning migrants to countries that are not their countries of origin, but which Europe considers “safe”.
Under the impetus of Denmark, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency and has long advocated for these measures, member states are moving forward at a rapid pace.
An EU diplomat told AFP that there was “a widely shared political wish” among leaders in the bloc to press ahead with these additional steps.
But some in the bloc remain sceptical.
France is questioning the legality and effectiveness of some of the proposals, while Spain is not convinced that “return hubs” work after several unsuccessful trials by other countries.
The new initiatives have caused consternation among activists working with migrants.
“Instead of investing in safety, protection, and inclusion, the EU is choosing policies that will push more people into danger and legal limbo,” said Silvia Carta of PICUM, an NGO that provides protection to undocumented migrants.
Despite the concerns, there is backing from centre-right and far-right lawmakers, who already gave an initial green light in the European Parliament.
While much of the focus on Monday will be on the new proposals being pushed, there will also be tricky talks on distributing at least 30,000 asylum seekers under the recent legal changes.
That move is part of a new “solidarity” system to help relieve pressure on countries that see large numbers of arrivals, such as Greece and Italy.
Other EU countries are expected to accept asylum seekers or to contribute 20,000 euros ($23,000) per person to the countries under pressure.
Comments: With governments across the bloc being urged to tighten immigration policies, putting a hand up to take in extra asylum seekers is fraught with political risk. The EU is nevertheless under pressure to hammer out a compromise on resettlement, with the clock ticking to come up with a final decision by the end of the year.
A breakthrough has already been made in Albania with the construction of two such centres on the initiative and with the funding of Italy. As a result, Albania has become a standout in the EU enlargement process. It is very likely that other Western Balkan countries will also be asked to join the process with similar centres on their territories.
