2024-04-12 00:01:21
- Countries will have 2 years to incorporate the changes into their national laws
- Refugee flows will be distributed on a solidarity basis
EU countries that fail to implement the new migration pact approved by the EP on Wednesday could face legal action. This was warned by the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson. She added that she still expects all member states to implement the changes “quite quickly”.
“If not, the commission will act and use, if necessary, infringement procedures,” emphasized Johansson. Her comment comes after a statement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who declared himself categorically against the proposed system of “mandatory solidarity” – one of the innovations in the pact.
The pact contains 10 texts in total
Their goal is to ensure an effective approach that simultaneously protects the security of Europeans, is humane, fair and solidary – both towards member states and asylum seekers. The reforms will regulate refugee flows to make migration safer.
Every year, thousands of migrants die taking dangerous steps to reach Europe. In 2023, a record 8,565 deaths were reported – 20% more than the previous year.
The changes affect checks on illegal migrants. Within 7 days, they will be screened to determine their identity and whether they pose a health and safety risk. The biometric data of everyone over the age of 6 will be collected. The data of persons arriving illegally in the EU will be stored in the reformed Eurodac database. The authorities will also register whether someone may pose a threat to security, whether they have shown aggression or carried a weapon.
EU countries will distribute migrant flows on a solidarity basis, so that only those on the EU’s borders do not suffer.
If a country does not wants to take searched for refuge, will has to pay compensation
of the host country.
Each EU member state will have to guarantee equivalent standards for the reception of asylum seekers in terms of housing, schooling and healthcare. And registered asylum seekers will be allowed to start work no later than 6 months after submitting the application.
The changes also include a mechanism for action in crisis situations, an obligation to process asylum applications more quickly, as well as rules for determining which EU country is responsible for processing.
All these actions await final approval by the Council of the EU, and the laws will enter into force after their publication in the Official Journal. The regulations are expected to come into force in 2 years. During this period, countries must implement the legislation in accordance with national legislation.
The reform approved by MEPs on Wednesday comes after almost 4 years of slow negotiations.
“It was not easy. Migration is a subject that inflames emotions,” said EP President Roberta Mezzola after the vote. She pointed out that the MPs kept their word by dealing with one of the most pressing issues that has been bothering Europeans even before the elections in 2019. The head of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, called the reform a huge step for Europe. “This day is historic,” she said categorically.