Immigration: the EU will abolish the Dublin regulation for a new, more united system
Refugees and migrants from the burnt Moria camp in Greece were transferred to a new temporary camp on September 16, 2020. Alkis Konstantinidis / Reuters
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4 min
Ursula von der Leyen confirmed this Wednesday, September 16, the upcoming abolition of the Dublin regulation and its replacement by a new European system of governance of migration.
The President of the European Commission has made this project a priority, while relations between certain European countries on the issue of migration remain strained.
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The
Dublin regulation
, much contested in Europe, will soon no longer be in force.
It was an expected announcement of
Ursula von der Leyen's
speech to
the European Parliament on Wednesday September 16.
The President of the European Commission advocated the abolition of this regulation and the forthcoming birth of a "
new European system of migration governance
" during her first speech in Brussels.
Lack of solidarity at the heart of criticism of the Dublin regulation
The proposal to reform migration policy is due to be presented on September 23, after having been repeatedly rejected.
Ursula von der Leyen did not reveal the details, but according to her, "
there will be common structures for asylum and return
".
"
And there will be a new strong mechanism of solidarity
", she added.
The lack of solidarity between European countries is precisely at the heart of the criticisms targeting the Dublin regulation, according to which responsibility for asylum applications was entrusted to the countries of entry of migrants into the European Union.
Nations on the front line on the route of the arrival of migrants such as Italy, Greece and Malta have for years denounced too heavy a burden, while other countries, such as in the Visegrad group (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia), have closed to asylum seekers.
Next week, we will put forward the New Pact on Migration.
We'll take a human & human approach.
Saving lives at sea is not optional & those countries who fulfill their legal and moral duties or are more exposed than others, must be able to rely on the solidarity of our whole EU.
Ursula von der Leyen - Follow #SOTEU (@vonderleyen) September 16, 2020
"We must step up our efforts and take our responsibilities"
The fire that
ravaged the Moria camp
in Greece has rekindled tensions within the EU.
“
These images are a painful reminder that Europe must act in unity,
” warned Ursula von der Leyen.
"
We must intensify our efforts in this area and take our responsibilities
", continued the leader, who confirmed "
a pilot project carried out jointly with the Greek authorities, to set up a new camp on the island of Lesbos.
"
The President of the European Commission sent a clear message: “
We expect all Member States to step up their efforts as well.
Ursula von der Leyen also promised "
measures to fight against smugglers, to strengthen the external borders, to deepen external partnerships and to create legal avenues of access
".
(
With
AFP)
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