2024-12-17 14:28:00
THE European Commission will present a new directive on the repatriation of migrants by the end of March, in which it will seek the legal suitability of expulsion centers outside the European Union, as announced in a letter to leaders by the president of the EU executive, Ursula von der Leyen. The ‘Meloni model’ is taking hold in the EU. Despite the ineffectiveness so far of the centers that Italy has opened in Albania to welcome migrants while waiting for their legal situation to be resolved, Brussels is taking another step in its intention to copy the format. In this case, the aim is to create these centers outside European territory to host people awaiting expulsion.
Von der Leyen had already opened up in October to explore “innovative solutions”, as a dozen countries had asked her to do. Now it goes a step further and has instructed its services to try to include these centers in the new directive on returns which it has committed to presenting by the end of March. “We are studying the best way to introduce it into the legal framework “It is necessary to examine the possibility of creating these centers,” explains von der Leyen in a letter legal, operational and practical aspectsas well as the financial implications of these centres, respecting fundamental rights and the principle of non-refoulement”, he added.
At a working lunch last week, EU home affairs ministers discussed the issue with the new migration commissioner, Magnus Brunner. The idea is gaining more and more followers, in line with the recent trend of moving towards the outsourcing of the management of migratory flows. However, countries like Spain are not comfortable with the idea. “Every time we tried to find innovative solutions that limit rights, [ese plan] has been slapped by international legislation,” said the Spanish Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaskain press statements in Brussels. Marlaska thus confirmed Spain’s opposition to the measure.
In addition to opening centers abroad, Von der Leyen also wants to strengthen work on the concept of ‘safe third country‘. This involves harmonizing the list of countries of origin considered safe, but also broadening the definition. This would open the door to the expulsion of people with the right to asylum or international protection to a third country where they can enjoy the same level of security. Ideally, it should be a country with which they also have some kind of connection.
Von der Leyen says in the letter that she will start consultations with EU countries, the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration and some NGOs to determine whether it is necessary to change the legislation, which will come into force in 2026. At the same time, The president advocates accelerating the implementation of the migration pact “where possible”.
Rapprochement with Türkiye
Even if the numbers are currently far from reflecting a crisis situation, the management of migratory flows regularly returns to the debate of European leaders in the European Council. December will be no exception. However, a high-ranking community source does not foresee an in-depth discussion, but simply an evaluation of the progress made by the Commission in recent months. Hence von der Leyen’s letter.
What will undoubtedly be on the table is the situation Syria. Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Greece and Germany have decided to suspend the analysis of asylum applications from Syrian applicants. The Commission currently believes that there are no conditions to proceed with the returns given the uncertainty. But at the same time he is worried about possible new migratory flows.
“We will have to help Lebanon, Jordan Yes Türkiye prepare for various eventualities, including contingency planning for unpredictable movements of people and new security challenges,” Von der Leyen assured in his letter to leaders. “It is important to ensure that prolonged uncertainty does not trigger new refugee flows,” he added. Von der Leyen went to Türkiye this Tuesday. Although the trip had been scheduled before the fall of Bashar al-Assadthe visit and meeting with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan They have taken on a new meaning. The head of the community executive organised, not surprisingly, a rapprochement with Ankara at the height of the transition in Syria.
“I want to recognize that Turkey has consistently assumed responsibility for hosting millions of Syrian refugees over the years,” von der Leyen said. Even if he didn’t do it for free. Since 2011, the EU has contributed more than ten billion euros in aid to refugees and the communities that host them, and the president used the trip to announce a new package worth an extra billion for this year.
This money, explained Von der Leyen, must help finance the healthcare and education of refugees, but also border management, “including voluntary repatriations”. As the situation evolves, the German said “we will be able to adapt them 1 billion euros to the new needs that could arise in Syria”. Whatever happens in Syria, von der Leyen is aware that Turkey will be a key player in the region. After years in which relations were practically frozen and the accession process paralysed, the president was open to the resumption of economic and political cooperation. “Our relationship is as rich as it is complex. But one thing is clear: we are moving forward,” he said.
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