Brussels, 08/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 8 November, the European commissioner for home affairs, Cecilia Malmström, presented several proposals intended to overcome resistance from member states with regard to implementation of the future common European asylum system, planned for 2012. The commissioner is seeking to propose a “modified approach” in February 2011 on the directive regarding minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers (“Reception” directive), as well as the directive on procedures for granting and withdrawing refugee status (“Procedures”), which are still blocked at the Council negotiating table. During a debate with ministers, Malmström declared that these amended proposals will contain more details and will be less difficult to apply. She said that they would take into account some of the costs but pointed out that it would be difficult to get Parliament to accept them. The commissioner also indicated that, faced with unanimity from member states, she was prepared to consider the possibility of the police having access to Eurodac, the European database for comparing asylum seekers and illegal immigrants' finger prints.
During the debates, Germany and France again voiced their opposition to creating a Dublin Regulation opt-out mechanism, which would allow the temporary suspension of sending asylum seekers back to the first country of reception, when the country in question has to confront a massive and sudden influx of migrants. “Special circumstances require special efforts,” said German Home Affairs Minister Thomas de Maizière. Suspension would not be the best thing, according to French Immigration Minister Eric Besson. The UK delegation agreed: Dublin should be strengthened, not suspended, it said. The countries of the South, led by Greece, said they had “reached their limits” for taking in asylum seekers. To find a solution, Commissioner Malmström said she would be prepared to put in place, with effect from 2012, “not a suspension mechanism” but a joint “emergency mechanism” which would last six months and was to be used only in exceptional situations, following a decision by the Council (through the comitology procedure). “This system could only apply to the countries which respect the acquis communautaire, so Greece would not be eligible,” she said. (B.C./transl.fl/rt)