Brussels, 04/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany and France have spoken out strongly against recent proposals by the European Commission to harmonise asylum procedures within the Union. In mid-October, the Commission presented two proposed modifications on the "procedure" and "qualification" directives (EUROPE 10002). "These two texts are disproportionate (...). They will increase the burden of red tape, make procedures even longer, increase costs and open the door and windows to abuse", said the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Maria Fekter, on 30 November, during the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Amongst other things, she believes that improving the infrastructure on the borders for asylum seekers constitutes "an invitation" to come to Europe to seek asylum. The British Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, explained that extension of procedures would cost his country an extra 3.5 million euros a year and would attract asylum applications which, he believes, "should not be made in the first place". His German counterpart, Thomas de Maizière, lamented the fact that the interests of asylum seekers are being put above those of the Member States, presaging difficult debates on these proposals. France voiced its misgivings and what it described as "constraints which could be counter-productive". The Benelux countries, led by Dutch Secretary of State for Justice Nebahat Albayrak, took pains to distance themselves from the pessimistic vision put forward by the British and the Austrians in particular. She expressed the view that the opinions on the texts on the table by no means correspond to reality. "Our objective is to create a proper common asylum regime by 2012. If it is a question of believing in a disaster scenario, we just have to go back home". This was echoed by the European Immigration Commissioner, Jacques Barrot, who spoke out against "any caricatures". He argued that these proposals would not encourage illegal immigrants, bring about excessive costs or spell the end of accelerated procedures in the United Kingdom. Mr Barrot concluded with the following, aimed in particular at Ms Fekter: "do not forget that the Parliament will be co-legislator and that it will not accept excessive criticisms". (B.C./trans.fl)