The EU Home Minister’s meeting in Copenhagen on Tuesday widely approved two recent controversial proposals by the European Commission, designed to curb irregular migration to the bloc.
These proposals – called “innovative solutions” by the committee – involve immigrants who are denied outsourced to asylum seekers and immigrants in third countries.
“We need to create innovative solutions and new agreements with countries outside the European Union,” said Kaare Dybvad Bek, Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, who is currently chairing the EU. “I had a good discussion with my colleagues. There are many similar opinions throughout the table. I hope we can make some progress over the next six months.”
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By changing the EU definition of “safe third country” the Member States will be allowed to reject the asylum application and relocate the applicant abroad without consideration, even if the immigration is not related to the location in question.
A “safe third country” is a non-EU country where international protection seekers are treated in accordance with “international standards,” and safeguards include the protection of asylum seekers from persecution and serious harm, respect for non-Luhunem principles, and the possibility of access to a working system of asylum.
Under the committee’s proposal, the relationship in the form of relationship between the third country and the applicant is not intended to be transferred there. Therefore, this change could lead to cooperation with non-EU countries, similar to the UK’s deportation policy of Rwanda, which was found illegal by the UK Supreme Court.
According to the Danish immigration minister, many countries have come to this idea, although previously considered a taboo.
“Many member states have changed their positions in these areas. I think it was a bit uphill to try and implement innovative solutions when I was the new minister of this council three years ago.
While most countries appear to agree with the proposal, there is hope for more opposition from the European Parliament against socialists and Democrats, Green/EFA and traditionally stricter rules on immigration.
Returns the hub for traction
Other innovative ideas engraved in the return regulations allow member states to transfer rejected asylum seekers to “return the hub” outside the EU.
The Commission’s proposal does not foresee the EU-wide programme to build these deportation centres, but it lays the necessary legal foundations to enable governments to attack arrangements with countries that may be willing to host immigrants in exchange for financial incentives.
The two centres built in Albania by the Italian government were originally intended to host asylum seekers, and could be converted into return centres and act as models.
Other countries could follow in a similar scheme, as suggested by French Minister of Home Affairs Bruno Leciro.
“While France has constitutional obstacles (on some measures), there is nothing in the return centre. I’m in favor of anything that makes the return more efficient.”
Immigration is a priority for Denmark, and will likely promote the committee’s proposals, particularly the return rules. “We hope to reach a general agreement on a return policy within the presidency,” the Danish minister said.
Commissioner of Interior and Immigration Magnus Brunner thought Denmark would be “very side by side” with the committee’s agenda for the next six months. He refused to pinned a specific target to the effective rate of return for rejected immigrants from EU countries to reach after approval of return regulations.
Many countries seem to be on the committee’s proposal. Austria, Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Poland have recently signed a common declaration to strengthen immigrant returns, strengthen external borders and build partnerships with third countries.
