On Thursday 7 December, the European Commission presented the member states with a calendar to implement the initiatives for managing migration in all its internal and external dimensions in the European Union.
The leaders of the member states will discuss EU action in the migration field during the European Summit on 14 and 15 December. The member states are called on to make a decision by April 2018 on the concept of solidarity in this domain, in view of reaching a political agreement on reform of the so-called “Dublin” asylum system at the European Council in June 2018 at the latest.
This roadmap was presented by the First Vice President, Frans Timmermans. Its aim is to point out to member states what they should do in an effort to push forward the ongoing work so that they complete this extremely difficult dossier before the end of the European Parliament's legislative term.
On the question of the Dublin reform, the European leader proved open to compromise. The Commission took note of the work undertaken by Parliament (see EUROPE 11887) and the current discussions at the Council, which are, in particular, watering down the concept of compulsory quotas for taking in asylum seekers (see EUROPE 11915). The Commission proposed that these compulsory relocation measures should only be imposed during severe crises and that relocation should remain voluntary in less serious situations.
All member states should, in any case, provide support to the countries most affected by a migration crisis and none of them can be exempt from providing solidarity.
In addition to the reform of the Dublin regulation, the Commission is calling on the Council to complete the work on the other dossiers of the “asylum” package, such as the proposals on the European Asylum Agency and Eurodac, which could be adopted by March 2018.
These proposals are advancing well, according to the Estonian Minister for the Interior, Andres Anvelt. During a meeting of Ministers for the Interior on Thursday in Brussels, he explained that a political agreement was close with the Parliament on the Eurodac regulation and that another trialogue was expected to take place next week, even though certain aspects were expected to be finalised under the Bulgarian Presidency at the beginning of 2018 (see EUROPE 11798).
The work on the new European Asylum Agency has also been finalised. With regard to the texts on reception conditions for asylum seekers (see EUROPE 11915), the Estonian Presidency received a mandate last week, to negotiate with Parliament. The first trialogues are due to begin next week
Increasing the return rates. On the external chapter of EU migration policy, the Commission would like the member states to make a commitment on the proposals for the partnerships requiring consolidation with third countries, particularly those in Africa, as well as legal immigration to Europe and financing for this action, by way of the Trust Fund for Africa or the refugee facility in Turkey.
On the question of resettlement, the Commission points out to member states that they should ensure the resettlement of 50,000 people by May 2019 (see EUROPE 11871).
They should also ensure that the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (ex-Frontex) will have “a fully functional capacity for returns" by May 2018 for migrants who are unable to claim protection in the EU. By June 2018, they will also have to increase the number of migrants submitted to a return as part of the operations organising cooperation with the agency by 50% compared to the rate for 2017. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)