On Tuesday 15 May, the Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (Coreper) again examined the reform of the so-called "Dublin" regulation for the European asylum system.
They held a general discussion on the main orientations so far taken under the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the perspective of preparing the discussions of the heads of state and government who, in theory, should reach a consensus on the subject by the end of June.
At the Tuesday meeting, the Bulgarian Presidency attempted to work towards reaching a balance between principles of solidarity and responsibility in the migration crisis management mechanism, which has been organised in three phases and with different trigger thresholds (see EUROPE 12014).
One diplomatic source briefly commented that the meeting had been “very good” and the next meeting had been arranged for the Justice and Home Affairs Council on Tuesday 5 June in Luxembourg. Other discussions could take place at an ambassadors’ level before the ministerial meeting
The attempts by the Bulgarian Presidency to reach a balance between the obligations of the member states of first reception and support for other countries in the event of a crisis were generally well-received, especially by some of the countries particularly affected by this issue, such as Greece. Although it disagrees with some of the orientations, Greece would like to obtain a solution more swiftly.
One source from a northern European country pointed out that, “the Bulgarian Presidency is really determined”.
The Bulgarian approach, however, is still far from obtaining everyone's agreement. At the end of the discussion on Tuesday, other sources appeared rather pessimistic. According to another diplomatic source, the discussions on Tuesday “were not very encouraging” and the positions are still “very hardline” from certain countries like Hungary.
Another national source explained “the Bulgarian Presidency has done well to develop the work but there are areas of fundamental opposition, with ideological blockages that are increasingly more pronounced”. According to this source, it is not just Hungary and its ferocious opposition to the obligatory relocation of asylum seekers during crises but also “around 10 member states that also have a difficulty with this”.
Other countries in the south of the EU, such as Italy, believe the solidarity mechanism does not go far enough. Italy and Spain have also criticised the reform for distancing itself from its original objective and concentrating too much on concentrating on secondary movements of asylum seekers between countries.
The Italian unknown
The composition of the future Italian government is still not known and the line that it will defend is in itself a real unknown factor.
The situation in Greece could also change depending on its future government. Italy has been traditionally an ally of Greece and could call for greater EU solidarity in the event of migration crises. Athens is currently experiencing difficulties with certain aspects of the text, especially the thresholds for triggering the crisis mechanism, which it would like to be earlier but they would also like to demonstrate that they are willing to be flexible.
One source from another country explained that “they have a very open question” on the Presidency’s work and consider this willingness to be flexible and reach a result is perhaps related to the pressure of the unknown situation affecting the future Italian government.
Postpone the dossier until October summit?
In the meantime, the idea of sticking to a simple balance sheet of the work carried out (during the European Summit on 28 and 29 June) and the positive achievements on the so-called “Dublin” reform and postponing attempts to reach an agreement until the October summit was also suggested on Tuesday by the Permanent Representatives.
Hungary proposed that they wait for a new mandate from the European Parliament after the 2019 elections to resume work on the dossier. The MEPs, who were effectively ready to negotiate with the Council in October 2017, are advocating a permanent compulsory relocation mechanism based on quotas and an end to the first country of entry principle (see EUROPE 11887).
The Bulgarian Presidency is determined to conclude matters by the end of June and now has to decide on the parameters of the debate the ministers will have at the beginning of June which will include either a general debate or a discussion requiring precise political guidelines. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)