Member state ambassadors with the European Union (Coreper) briefly took stock, on Wednesday 5 September, of the implementation of decisions taken by the European Council in June relating to controlled centres and disembarkation platforms for migrants in third countries.
The meeting allowed account to be taken of previous meetings such as that in Geneva on 30 July organised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration. The meeting, attended by countries concerned on both sides of the Mediterranean, had been devoted to the platforms foreseen in the countries of North Africa (see EUROPE 12074).
On the concept of the disembarkation of migrants picked up outside the EU’s territorial waters and potentially disembarked in third countries, it was nonetheless recalled that the specific nature of each country should be respected and potential contacts with third countries should not be launched until the concept of “disembarkation platform” is clearly identified and defined.
On Monday, sources from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees had stated that the member states should ensure that account is taken of the efforts underway in the countries of North Africa in this respect, with the situation in Libya naturally remaining the main cause for concern. However, according to these same sources, countries such as Tunisia are considered as good examples and the member states must be careful not to be too brusque with their partners.
Asylum. The Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU also explained its current position in its bilateral contacts with the member states on the question of reform of the 'asylum' package (see EUROPE 12049). It will draw up a first report on these exchanges during a new meeting of Coreper next week.
On Wednesday, the ambassadors were to continue their discussion during a working lunch before a further meeting of experts, on Thursday, to be devoted to 'controlled centres' in the EU where migrants may disembark after being picked up in the territorial waters of member states. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)