On Wednesday 22 June, as expected, the national ambassadors of the Member States to the EU approved by a large majority the two political agreements (general approaches) on the ‘Migrant Screening’ and Eurodac Regulations and thus gave a mandate to the Council of the EU to start discussions with the European Parliament, once the latter has taken a position.
Political agreement on the solidarity declaration, aimed at setting up an aid mechanism for people rescued at sea and who arrive at European ports, was also confirmed on 22 June, with 21 Member States and Schengen Associated States able to support the declaration as they had said on 10 June at the EU Council of Interior Ministers (see EUROPE 12969/1).
These states are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
On Monday 27 June, these volunteer States will meet to confirm their commitments, in particular regarding relocation. The French Presidency of the EU Council has asked Member States to agree on distributing an estimated 10,000 people per year. Other countries could join the group of 21 at this time.
The southern EU countries under the ‘Med5’ umbrella (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain) also reiterated the importance of this solidarity mechanism on Wednesday morning by taking a position in favour of the ‘Screening’ and Eurodac Regulations.
This declaration of solidarity will take effect directly and is not linked to the outcome of the negotiations with the European Parliament on the two regulations.
As a reminder, the Eurodac database is intended to help Member States to better monitor the movements of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants within the European Union. It contains the fingerprints of irregular migrants and asylum seekers who have been registered in EU Member States and associated countries. It will contain new biometric data such as facial images and will also include people brought ashore following search and rescue operations at sea and those enjoying temporary protection.
With regard to screening, the regulation provides that screening at external borders (health or security checks not exceeding 5 days) will apply to all people who do not fulfil the entry conditions, including people seeking international protection and those rescued at sea. It will also apply to people apprehended on the EU territory who have evaded external border controls. After screening, all people concerned will be referred to an asylum, relocation or return procedure.
Links to the adopted texts and the declaration: https://aeur.eu/f/297 ; https://aeur.eu/f/28x (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)