Brussels, 25/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Decisions of a more concrete nature will come in December before more generally looking at EU migratory policies next June, at a specific summit on this. That was the reserved response given by the European leaders on Friday 25 October to events in Lampedusa and the recent loss of life of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, the most tragic incident being the 350 lives lost on 3 October. By December, the recent “task force” set in place on 8 October in Luxembourg is due to tackle a series of short-term measures by, for example, identifying ways to use existing instruments better. A report will be forwarded to the Council by the Commission.
In its conclusions, the European Council underlines the importance of addressing root causes of migration flows by enhancing cooperation with the countries of origin and transit, including through appropriate EU development support and an effective returns policy. It also calls for closer cooperation with the relevant international organisations, in particular UNHCR and the International Organisation of Migration in the third countries concerned. The fight against people smuggling and migrant trafficking should be stepped up. Furthermore, the European Council calls for: - the reinforcement of Frontex activities in the Mediterranean and along the south-eastern borders of the EU; - and swift implementation by member states of the new European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR).
Above all, the conclusions will have been to everyone's satisfaction. Thus, France sees its three-pronged approach, “prevention, protection and solidarity”, taken up in the conclusions. The notion of solidarity and the sharing of responsibilities between member states were also dear to the countries of southern Europe, which are in the frontline for receiving flows of migrants. Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said he was pleased with the conclusions and told journalists on Friday that Italy would, next June, present ideas on the European asylum system. Italy's idea is not to formally reopen discussions on the Dublin II regulation but at least to discuss the sharing of migrants.
The German chancellor has already set the tone. At this stage, it is out of the question to review the regulation. “We have had an in-depth discussion on refugees after the horrible events in Lampedusa and we have expressed our very great emotion”, she said. Although there must be a change in asylum policies, she added, it will be the home affairs and justice ministers that tackle the matter. When asked about the sharing of migrants, Merkel asserted that, at this stage, it is necessary to continue on the Dublin II basis and to focus on short-term measures.
The Greek prime minister, Antonis Samaras, announced that Greece and Italy, which will be taking over the reins of the EU in 2014, will work together on the new course for European policies on immigration. For the EU, a five-point strategy is needed, he added, a strategy that relates to identification of the country of origin, the sharing of asylum seekers among host countries, a true European repatriation policy, and measures against smugglers.
Disappointed by these conclusions, the Greens/EFA at the European Parliament took the view that deferral of any decision concerning the consequences of the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean is proof that European values are counting less and less. That, said Rebecca Harms, is shameful, and will catch up with the European leaders with the next major disaster in the Mediterranean. (SP with FG/EL/CG/AN/transl.jl)