On Monday 31 January, the Commission hoped that discussions on exceptional measures for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, based on Article 78.3, would be able to “move forward quickly”, despite Poland’s rejection on 28 January of a compromise by the French Presidency of the EU Council (see EUROPE 12879/1).
It considered the situation still “volatile” in these border areas with Belarus where many migrants remain, and “will continue to engage”, with the Commission refusing to say whether this proposed EU Council decision should be withdrawn.
The meeting of Member States’ ambassadors, which was very tense, according to several sources, ended in a deadlock on Friday, with Poland asking for this proposal not to apply to it and making demands deemed unacceptable by some, in particular on the application of the right of asylum.
Contacted by EUROPE, the Lithuanian Permanent Representation indicated that it had supported the European Parliament’s move to open up consultation, considering that this would allow for further amendments to the proposal. It stressed that the text, which was brought to the table on 1 December, remains “important” for Lithuania and “legitimate”, and hoped that the impasse could be broken quickly.
EU interior ministers meeting in Lille on 3 February will discuss the Asylum Pact and the lessons of the Afghan and Belarus crises, but it is unclear whether these measures will be mentioned. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)