European migration ministers will meet on Thursday to discuss responsibility for refugees and migrants. “I expect that we will find a compromise,” said Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. Negotiations between member states on a new migration deal have been deadlocked for years.
Current European rules on asylum and migration came under severe pressure in 2015 when more than a million people tried to reach the EU. At the time, these were mainly Syrians trying to flee the war in their country. Since then, a solution has been sought, because the infrastructure for reception and safety could not cope with the influx of people.
Countries such as Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece have been asking for help for years. At the same time, wealthy destinations such as Germany, France and Sweden say they cannot be the only countries where refugees end up. In the east of the EU, countries such as Poland and Hungary refuse to receive people from the Middle East and North Africa.
Johansson: “Stronger together”
“It’s about a European approach to migration. When we work together we are stronger. It’s not about winners and losers,” says European Commissioner Johansson. “If we agree on a common approach to deal with migration in a humane, yet restrictive way, we will all be winners,” said Swedish Social Democrat.
The discussion between the EU member states is about whether all countries should receive people. That is expected in the south and west of the power bloc. Eastern countries do not want to trap people, but contribute in return by providing staff or depositing money in a fund. A deal would be in the works to make the latter possible, according to Johansson, who is responsible for migration policy at the European Commission.
De Moor: “Last chance for Europe”
In an interview with ‘Knack’ State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor (CD&V) sounds positive about the negotiations. “We are in a rush,” she says to the weekly. “The historic agreement must be reached in early 2024 during the Belgian EU presidency. We will put the icing on the cake.”
If the member states reach an agreement on Thursday, the next phase can begin. Under the supervision of the Commission, negotiations will take place with the European Parliament. From January to June 2024, Belgium will lead European Councils of Ministers. De Moor then takes the lead in reaching a compromise that will become the new migration law for the whole of the EU.
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