On Friday 13 January, the Maltese Minister of the Interior, Carmelo Abela, explained that next week the EU would be trying to obtain a compromise on the reform of the so-called Dublin rules defining member states’ responsibilities when processing asylum requests.
In a press briefing in Malta, Mr Abela explained “I hope that a compromise can be reached before the end of the presidency” but acknowledged that the discussions would be difficult (see EUROPE 11671). The Minister said that “After many years, the member states have finally agreed that the migration question is a European question” but recognised that this did not, however, mean that everything has been resolved involving this reform.
In response to the ideas expressed by the Maltese Vice Prime Minister, Louis Grech, on 11 January, Mr Abela stated that it was unnecessary to describe solidarity as either effective or flexible. He explained that “We shouldn’t have to label solidarity” and added that asylum reform should be based on two words: solidarity and responsibility. He pointed out that derogations should not be allowed in this area and that all member states should accept the principles of the Dublin system reform.
Applying the decisions already taken
According to the Maltese authorities, solidarity should also apply to the implementation of any decisions already taken. The Presidency will therefore be calling for the rule agreed upon in September 2015 to relocate 160,000 refugees based in Greece and Italy throughout the EU to be applied. Mr Abela indicated, however, that “We are far from achieving this”. On 8 December, 8,162 people had been relocated from Greece and Italy. Malta has made the most progress with relocations (61% carried out), whereas Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary have still not taken anyone in under the terms of this agreement.
During the January-November 2016 period, more than 1.17 million people had applied for asylum in the EU. These applications mainly involved Syrians (26%), Afghans (15%) and Iraqis (10%). 80% of requests were submitted in five member states: Germany, Italy, France, Austria and Greece. In 2016, out of more than 1 million decisions made, 57% of them were positive (35% leading to refugee status and 22% to subsidiary protection). These figures, however, vary significantly from one member state to another. For example, agreements on protection of the Iraqis varies from between 11 to 80% according to the member state in question and to the differing circumstances.
The Maltese Presidency would like to make the European Asylum Seekers Office (EASO) in Malta into a bona fide European agency. EASO explained that this change in status would enable it to, “ensure greater convergence when assessing requests for international protection throughout the Union”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)