MIGRATIONS
The EU Commission proposed a common strategy on the refugee-question. But the States raised perplexities. The political process is still long
“Quickly save lives and provide protection in the EU for people in need, be they at sea, in the EU or in third countries”. High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini, explained the overall objective of the measures on migration, which the Commission set out on May 27, thereby completing the agenda drawn up on May 13 last year. The EU Council of Ministers will examine the numerous actions proposed on June 15 to 16, in the light of the opinion of the European Parliament. The matter is complex, to the extent that some aspects will require the intervention of the European Council on 25-26 June. Relocation of refugees. The documents presented in Brussels envisage, first of all, a relocation mechanism of refugees that arrived in Italy and Greece (the most exposed EU Countries in terms of arrival of refugees) after 15 April 2015. This urgent response mechanism, under Article 78 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, is being activated for the first time. The relocation scheme will apply primarily to Syrian and Eritrean nationals in need of international protection. The Commission has also identified the total number of individuals that will be relocated across 23 EU member countries adhering to the “compulsory mechanism”, obviously excluding Italy and Greece, as well as United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark, that have ‘opt-in’ rights under the Treaties. The distribution criteria take into account four factors: GDP, the total population, unemployment, number of asylum seekers in that Country. For example, according to the scheme Germany would have to resettle 8.763 people, France 6.752, Poland 2.659, Hungary 827. For each hosted person the resettlement Country will receive 6 thousand euro. The Commission had worked on other aspects of the Agenda such as the resettlement of 20 000 people from outside the EU in clear need of international protection; an EU Action plan against migrant smuggling; the geographic extension of the Triton operation; the guidelines for the detection of fingerprints of all migrants arriving to Europe; a public consultation on the Blue Card to facilitate the migration of highly skilled people. Rules, solidarity, responsibility. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “Today the Commission is matching words with action. Solidarity goes hand in hand with responsibility. This is why our proposals include the strong requirement that asylum rules are properly applied, and that Member States do everything they should to prevent abuse. Everyone who needs sanctuary should find it in Europe. But those who have no justified claim should be quickly identified and returned to their home country”, a clear message to the initial countries of reception. Mogherini then extended her glance to the Countries of origin and transit of migration flows: “we are intensifying our cooperation with countries of origin and transit and with countries hosting refugees, not only to support asylum and migration capacities, but also to tackle the root causes that force people to escape and migrate: poverty, wars, persecutions, violations of human rights and natural disasters”. Opposite reactions. The Commissioner for Migration, Dimitris Avramopoulos, pointed out: “The relocation and resettlement schemes, together with the strengthening of Triton and Poseidon and the Action Plan to fight smugglers, respond to the most urgent challenges we are confronted with. At the same time, we are launching the public consultation on the revision of the Blue Card Directive, a consultation that we hope will bring us valuable input for turning this instrument into a true business card for the Union in the global competition for talents and skills.” The presentation of the Commission’s plan was followed by reactions across the EU. Governments are looking forward to the next institutional passages in June, to uncover their cards, although distribution “quotas” are not welcomed in several capitals of northern, central and Eastern Europe. Churches and NGOs conveyed differing perplexities, calling for a higher degree of solidarity towards Mediterranean Countries, more consistent funds for reception and investments to cooperation for development. Others stressed the fact that at least this constitutes an initial, albeit partial attempt in the direction of a common migration policy.
