23/08/2022 (Agence Europe) – The implementation of the Solidarity Declaration to support the EU’s southern countries, approved on 22 June by 21 countries (see EUROPE 12977/19), is progressing well, according to the Commission, and should take shape in August with the first relocations of migrants. “In Italy, Member States (currently France and Germany) are starting to deploy dedicated relocation missions. With the support of the European Union Agency for Asylum, the first interviews began in early August. We are working with Italy, the European Union Agency for Asylum and the International Organization for Migration to ensure that the first relocations take place in August”, the Commission said. The objective set by the countries volunteering for this solidarity mechanism is to relocate 10,000 people over 1 year. By mid-July, the participating states had reached commitments for 8,000 people (see EUROPE 12990/5). (SP)