The EU-27 will once again discuss the European Union’s migration policy on the evening of Thursday, June 24. The discussion should focus on the external aspects, which are the only ones on which there is consensus so far, unlike the aspects related to solidarity between Member States and responsibility, which have not been addressed by leaders since 2018.
“Let's hope that the debate focuses on that (these external aspects) and that there will not be another general discussion on migration revealing deep disagreements”, a diplomat observed on Wednesday 23 June. He advocated working in this area “by qualified majority” of Member States in the EU Council “and not in the European Council through discussions that only lead to disagreements”.
Member States should, as stated in the European Council’s draft conclusions of 21 June, ask the European Commission to develop “immediately” a plan to establish specific partnerships with third countries of transit and origin of migrants.
“We need an action plan for September or October”, said a diplomatic source. On Thursday, leaders are expected to discuss specific target countries.
“The EU now has very important financial means (such as the NDICI instrument). There are also technical means”, commented another diplomat. And added: “We have this arsenal that has been developed over time. It has to be mobilised very quickly”.
The European Council will also reject any attempt by third countries to use migration for political purposes. This sentence does not only refer to Spain and the Ceuta crisis with Morocco. Lithuania has also recently reported irregular arrivals of migrants from Iran or Iraq on its soil from Belarus.
These conclusions are therefore aimed at third countries that “might think of instrumentalising” migrants, the second diplomat continued.
See the draft conclusions of the European Council: https://bit.ly/3zOc3Xq (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic with the editorial staff)