The national ambassadors of the Member States to the EU continued their reflection on Monday 14 February on the gradual approach pursued by the French Presidency of the EU Council regarding the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
On the basis of a working paper (see EUROPE 12887/3), they discussed possible compromises over the aspect of responsibility (through the instrument of screening migrants at external borders) and the aspect of solidarity. According to one source, Member States are particularly “committed” to this approach and are ready to move forward. Regarding the ‘responsibility’ aspect – and in particular the principle of the fiction of non-entry for migrants who arrive at external borders – the point remains open, “but does not give rise to a great deal of resistance”, added this source.
Regarding solidarity, and in particular the voluntary relocation mechanism or alternative contributions (such as financial ones) to relocation, a request for clarifications was made on Monday, but the tone of the discussion was generally “constructive”, according to the same source.
Paris’ intention is to secure political agreement over the precise aspects of this step-by-step approach at the formal Council of Ministers of Home Affairs to be held in March, before proceeding to a technical review of the legislative texts and a view to potential formal agreements. The subject will be discussed once more in Coreper before the meeting is held on 3 March. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)