European Union (EU) home ministers will try this Thursday to reach an agreement on reform of European migration policy, to start negotiations with the European Parliament on issues such as resettlement of migrants and funding.
At a meeting in Luxembourg, the relevant European ministers will discuss the new Migration and Asylum Pact proposed by the European Commission in September 2022 for a comprehensive European approach to migration aimed at improving cooperation with countries of origin and transit and ensuring efficient procedures. successful integration of refugees and the return of those who have no right to stay.
The pact defines improved and faster procedures throughout the asylum and migration system and strikes a balance for a fair sharing of responsibility and solidarity in order to better manage migration in the EU.
The aim of the current rotating Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU is to reach an agreement, preferably this Thursday, on the two main migration files, the regulation on the asylum system and migration management and the regulation on the asylum procedure, so that subsequently the framework that brings together the member states will be able to start negotiations with the European Parliament.
European sources say Thursday’s Home Affairs Council meeting is a “real opportunity” to reach an initial consensus on European migration policy reform after “several not-so-successful attempts.”
“There is a good chance, but it all comes down to whether there is enough confidence and political will on the part of member states and ministers to reach an agreement, [mas] maybe so,” they said.
European sources said that there is now a “much more comprehensive and methodical approach to asylum and migration issues” in the EU, with more solidarity with countries that are at the forefront, although there are new “national dimensions” in this “delicate issue”. “. problem”, migrations.
Under this new Migration and Asylum Pact, the European Commission wants solidarity to become mandatory through faster and more efficient procedures, a fair distribution of responsibilities and funding, flexible national contributions, partnerships with third countries and even a common EU return system.
The goal of the co-legislators is to reach a final agreement (taking into account the necessary negotiation process) by the European elections in June 2024, to fairly distribute responsibilities among member states and act in solidarity when addressing migration flows.