By establishing a system of controls and rules, the new EU treaty on asylum and migration, while not perfect, has the potential to restore confidence to Europeans on a subject that is deeply politically divisive, said Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, a guest on Euronews’ flagship interview show. european conversation.
“We need to restore public trust,” Brunner said, adding that immigration was a topic “at the heart of everyone.”
The Austrian commissioner said the new EU treaty on asylum and migration was the first time member states had agreed on what could be a good basis for resolving long-standing issues.
“It’s not perfect, of course it’s not perfect. There were some missing pieces. But I always say 70% is better than 0%. That’s why we have to implement the agreement.”
This new initiative is based on four key principles: securing external borders through vetting and expedited border procedures, creating fast and efficient asylum procedures, establishing a system of solidarity and responsibility among Member States, and integrating migration management into international partnerships.
Following adoption by the European Parliament and the European Council, the new rules on migration will come into force in 2024 and will be applied in June next year.
Brunner said that although “key pieces are missing, such as return regulations, safe third countries, safe countries of origin, etc.”, “we are on track.”
talk to taliban
Bruner told Euronews that the EU needs to discuss immigration on a technical level with the Taliban and similar authorities regarding the return of rejected asylum seekers, even if it is not “fun” or “easy”.
Asked about Germany’s negotiations with the Taliban to repatriate Afghan nationals scheduled for deportation, Brunner said: “It’s still important to engage with third countries, even if you don’t like their governments or the way they’re doing things.”
“It’s not fun and it’s not easy, but not getting engaged is not an option.”
The talks with the Taliban drew criticism from Germany and abroad, as their rule has been marked by systematic violations of human rights, especially women’s rights, since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Critics also say that maintaining dialogue with the Taliban by major EU countries would lend legitimacy to the Afghan regime and pave the way for a gradual normalization of relations with the West.
But “we have to differentiate between[dialogue with the Taliban]and acknowledging the existence of the government or respecting the government, and we haven’t done that,” Brunner said.
“Return Hub” as an “innovative solution”
Mr Brunner also expressed support for the controversial issue of “return hubs” – the idea of sending individuals who do not have the right to stay in the EU to a third country.
“There is potential for member states to consider new solutions, new innovative solutions, and return hubs are one of them,” Bruner said.
“It is therefore important to pave the way, create a framework and allow Member States to consider possibilities like repatriation hubs, and that is what we have done with the Return Regulation. But we do not want the EU Commission to negotiate on behalf of all Member States,” he added.
Mr. Brunner also shared details of his recent meeting with the Pope in Rome.
“It was a really good discussion and meeting, because we are all on the same page, and really on respecting human rights, respecting fundamental rights, but also on fighting human traffickers,” said the minister, who is Catholic.
“And I think the Pope completely agrees with that.”
