The discussion among EU ministers of European Affairs on Monday 6 February on how to respond to the increasing migration flows to the EU did not fundamentally change the lines among the Member States, a few days before the European Summit, but confirmed the “positive momentum” observed for some time, summarised Swedish Minister for European Affairs Jessika Roswall.
According to the minister, the discussion demonstrated the “will” of all the Member States to find solutions to manage migration, while five successive EU Council Presidencies have already committed themselves at the European Parliament to moving forward with the current reform, she added. “I believe there is a momentum to move things forward”, the minister said.
The discussion focused mainly on the management of external borders and how to better control arrivals “by sea or land borders”, less on internal solidarity mechanisms such as the relocation of asylum seekers, which Italy had again highlighted in a paper in preparation for the European Summit (see EUROPE 13114/8).
Nor was there any specific mention of funding anti-migrant fences from the EU budget, as called for by Austria. While the issue was raised, it was not discussed in depth, the minister said.
On her arrival, the French Secretary of State for Europe, Laurence Boone, said that things had always been “very clear” so far and that “there is no European money” for anti-migrant walls.
According to one source, the parameters of the migration debate prior to the 9-10 February summit remained unchanged, with no breakthrough on the financing of these fences or on the internal solidarity component.
Asked about this, Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič also reiterated the Commission’s position that no EU funds should be allocated to walls designed to repel migrants.
However, the European budget finances all surveillance infrastructure and equipment to protect the external borders; for example, thermal imaging cameras, equipment such as drones or all the maintenance of such equipment and infrastructure at the external borders.
EU funds are more “suitable” for this type of equipment for border guards, the Vice-President added.
However, one source said that changes were still possible on the migration part of the EU summit conclusions, which was to be drafted in the wake of the meeting.
The latest version of the conclusions, dated 2 February, focused in particular on cooperation with third countries on return and readmission and on the use of different levers to exert pressure, including visa policy, trade policy and development aid. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)