A majority of European Union members are urging for more agreements with countries where migrants depart from or travel through to reach Europe, stating that the bloc needs to think creatively to address irregular migration. A letter signed by immigration ministers from 15 member countries highlighted the need for innovative solutions, emphasizing the importance of partnerships with key nations along migratory routes to address the issue at the EU level. The signatories called on the European Commission to identify and propose new ways to prevent irregular migration and establish comprehensive partnerships with countries located along migratory routes.
In the midst of campaigning for Europe-wide elections, the EU approved sweeping reforms to the bloc’s asylum system, known as the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. The pact outlines rules for EU members to manage individuals attempting to enter without authorization, from screening to determine eligibility for protection to carrying out deportations if necessary. The 15 member countries emphasized the need to shift focus from managing irregular migration within Europe to supporting refugees and host communities in regions of origin. They also pointed to existing agreements with countries like Turkey and Tunisia as examples of successful partnerships to address migration challenges.
The signatories highlighted the importance of having the ability to transfer asylum seekers to a safe third country if such an option exists while ensuring compliance with international legal obligations. The reforms passed in Brussels aim to address longstanding divisions within the EU stemming from the influx of migrants in 2015, primarily from war-torn countries like Syria and Iraq. However, the comprehensive reform package is not set to take effect until 2026, underscoring the lack of immediate solutions to a crisis that has been a major political challenge for the EU.
Critics of the pact argue that it grants nations the power to detain migrants at borders and fingerprint children, potentially infringing on their right to seek asylum. Concerns have also been raised about the possibility of entering into questionable deals with poorer countries as a means to deter migration to Europe. The reform package has sparked debate over the balance between keeping people out and upholding their rights, with fears of exacerbating existing challenges related to migration within the EU. Despite the planned reforms, the issue of migration remains a contentious topic within the EU, with ongoing debates on responsibility-sharing and cooperation among member states.
