All European Union countries agree to assist each other in times of crisis or migratory pressure and there is a “broad consensus” in favour of a compulsory solidarity mechanism, including relocation of migrants and support for returns, but with sufficient flexibility.
The EU27, on the other hand, oppose new legislative initiatives on legal labour migration for low-skilled workers.
These are the main lessons learnt by the German EU Council Presidency in a concept paper which it will submit to the Member States in a working group meeting on Friday 30 October.
This discussion is intended to prepare for the meeting of Home Affairs Ministers on 13 November, which will focus on the most sensitive elements of the Pact on Migration and Asylum: the solidarity mechanism, pre-screening and border procedures, and relations with non-Member State with those returning (see EUROPE 12566/1).
In this document seen by EUROPE, the German Presidency reports a consensus on several issues. On the external borders of the EU first and the strengthening of partnerships with non-Member States, all Member States agree that “managed and orderly migration” in the EU will send “a signal to the rest of the world that Europe has a strong common asylum and migration policy, whereby only those who are supposed to be entitled to protection can enter the EU”.
Member States here support the regulation on the mandatory pre-entry and pre-screening procedure (identity, health and security checks), which is planned to last five days, as well as asylum and return procedures at the border which are “in the interest of all Member States”.
Here, the Presidency intends to sound out the Member States on the practical arrangements and ask them how, for example: - to practically prevent irregular entries before completion of the procedures; - establish objectively identifiable criteria for the border procedure which are resistant to misuse; - enhance the return of rejected applicants for asylum; - consider the legitimate interests of vulnerable persons. The question of overburdening in the reception centres where these procedures will take place is also raised.
On the solidarity mechanism, all Member States should participate as much as possible and the implementation of a special solidarity mechanism for disembarkation cases “should be discussed”. Solidarity measures should be tailored to the needs of each country, says the German note. But, although tailor-made, “the most important solidarity provisions are those which allow a reduction of pressure on the Member States of first arrival”, the text adds.
“This confirms the importance of relocation or initiatives to increase the effectiveness of return policy, in particular return sponsorships”.
Berlin will, however, seek to find out how such returns can be achieved in practice and whether, in terms of solidarity, flexibility and efficiency, they can go hand in hand.
See the German note: https://bit.ly/3oy5geJ (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)