The leaders of the European Union discussed this Thursday how to increase the returns of migrants, a priority issue for all member states, which are beginning to consider the possibility of create deportation centers abroaddiscarded a few years ago due to doubts about its compatibility with community and international legislation.
Migration policy returned strongly to the agenda of the European summit after a few months of less prominence following the adoption of the migration and asylum pact last May.
During the meeting, conclusions were approved that invite the European Commission to “present a new legislative proposal (on returns) as a matter of urgency.”
The EU seeks, this document adds, a “determined action at all levels to facilitate, increase and accelerate returns”; and encourages the use of “all EU policies and instruments” to do so, including diplomacy, development aid, trade and visas.
Although the idea of ​​migrant centers is not new, and in fact This week, Italy launched an agreement with Albania In that sense, the interest of EU countries in this initiative to boost returns has been growing.
This same Thursday it was confirmed at a working breakfast organized by Italy, Denmark and Netherlands before the start of the summit, which was also attended by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and eight other countries (not Spain).
The meeting served to show the harmony of these States in immigration policy and in it Italy explained its agreement with Albania.
Return centers
Looking ahead to the summit, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenaddressed a letter to the capitals in which he asked to “continue exploring” to advance the idea of develop return centers outside the EU and called for lessons to be drawn from the implementation of the agreement between Italy and Albania.
It also included other ideas, such as accelerating the application of the migration pact, as requested by Spain.
The approved conclusions say that “new ways to prevent and counter irregular migrationin line with international and EU law”.
And they remember the importance of the “correct functioning of the Schengen (free movement) area.”
The text also states that Migration “is a European challenge that requires a European response” and “takes note” of Von der Leyen’s letter, in addition to underlining the importance of “implementing” the legislation already adopted to address existing challenges.
It also calls for “increased cooperation with countries of origin and transit, through comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnerships, to address root causes and combat trafficking and smuggling, with a view to preventing loss of life and irregular departures.”
The EU further emphasizes that aligning visa policy of neighboring countries “It is an important element” in that sense.
And he emphasizes that “safe and legal pathways are needed” for legal and orderly migration.
Migration and asylum pact
Last May, the EU adopted a pact that aims to manage migration in an orderly and predictable manner. Von der Leyen warned that its implementation is accelerating “the balance of responsibility and solidarity must be maintained.”
However, many Member States believe, like France, that this complex legislative construction is missing a “brick”: regulations that make returns more effective.
The Twenty-seven have a Return Directive from 2008 and although there is a 2018 proposal to update it, a good number of Member States consider that it is already outdated.
Von der Leyen has already announced that presenting a new legislative proposal on these returns will be the first task of the future Commissioner for the Interior, a position to which the Austrian Magnus Brunner aspires.
Hybrid attacks
The European Union (EU) endorsed this Thursday Poland’s decision to temporarily suspend the right to asylumas a measure to protect the country from “hybrid attacks” from Belarus.
“The European Council strongly condemns the intensification of the Russian campaign of hybrid activities aimed at the European Unionits Member States and its partners,” indicates the text, which welcomes “the adoption of restrictive measures by the EU in view of Russia’s destabilizing activities.”
He adds that the EU and its countries “will continue to strengthen their resilience and make full use of the” existing “tools to prevent, deter and respond” to such Russian hybrid actions.
