The EU summit ended on 26 June with a decision to relocate tens of thousands of asylum seekers throughout the EU and from international camps, but intense internal quarrelling over how to do is still leaving migrants’ fate uncertain.
The EU’s current migration crisis practically monopolised leaders’ discussion on the first day of the summit, ending late at night and leaving many feathers ruffled. Over six hours, leaders debated intensively, called upon the expertise of their legal services and dealt…
Reviving a controversial idea
In a move that fell under the radar, the Council also highlights the possibility of reviving a controversial asylum idea: the creation of a common EU list of safe countries of origin (SCO). A state is deemed to be “safe” based on various criteria, such as democratic practices, human rights protection and independence of the judiciary. Asylum applicants from countries deemed “safe” are fast-tracked through the system and likely denied refugee status, based on a general assumption that the application is unfounded. The policy remains highly controversial, with critics arguing the system is unfair and biased. The conclusions list a series of measures for returning and readmitting illegal immigrants, including the Commission’s proposed measures of strengthening the “safe country of origin” provisions in the asylum procedures directive, as well as “the possible establishment” of a common EU list. EU countries already tried this in 2003 – and failed. An EU SCO list was added in a draft version of the 2005 asylum directive but was removed from the final version after member states disagreed about the safety of the proposed countries (seven Latin American and three African countries). Although the directive contained a common SCO definition, officials could not see eye to eye on the matter. The idea was completely dropped in 2008, after the EU Court of Justice ruled that member states should have given the European Parliament co-decision powers. Nevertheless, many member states have and use national SCO lists. Listing the possibility of giving a common EU SCO list another shot is not without meaning, EU diplomats say, emphasising that there might just be enough momentum this time around. Countries such as Germany and France are supporters. A recast version of the 2005 directive was adopted in 2013 but will only kick in as of July 2015.
Leaders' statements after the summit:
Angela Merkel
Germany
Greece
"We talked about next steps, Hollande ans me encouraged him to accept the "very generous" offer by the institutions, which goes beyond 2nd program."
"No plans for more Greece summits (…) All political steps have been made.”
Migration
"In April, we were not able to agree on the pilot project, now we were. That is a small step forward."
Alexis Tsipras
Greece
Greece
"The European Union foundations principles were democracy, solidarity, quality, mutual respect. These principles were not based on blackmails and ultimatum. And especially in this crucial time, none has the right to put in danger these principles. The Greek government will continue decisively to give the fight in favour of these principles, to continue to give the fight on behalf of the European people and of course of the Greek people."
Matteo Renzi
Italy
Migration
« Certes, l'accord sur la “redistribution” aurait pu être beaucoup plus ambitieux. Il ne s'agit que de 40.000 personnes, mais c'est un premier pas vers une politique européenne et non plus uniquement une politique individuelle des Etats ».
« Le fait positif est que maintenant, il est clair que ce n'est pas seulement un problème de l'Italie ou de la Grèce ».
Grèce
« J'ai confiance que nous arriverons à un accord samedi, un accord qui respecte les institutions tout en permettant à la Grèce de rester dans la zone euro ».
David Cameron
United Kingdom
Migration
“We need to work together in Europe on a comprehensive plan to tackle this issue at its root.”
“I feel the relocation schemes for migrants who have arrived could be counterproductive.”
“We have to break the business model of smuggling.”
UK renegotiation
“I think the EU is beneficial for Britain. I want to make it more beneficial.”
“What matters is getting a substantial agreement and then taking that to the British people.”
“Britain brings a lot to the EU.”
Mark Rutte
Netherlands
Migration
"Obligation is contrary to solidarity," said Rutte who believed the quota will be met without mandatory participation. If the voluntary contributions don't suffice, then there could be a debate on solidarity in the EU, he said.
Viktor Orbán
Hungary
Migration
"We have alarmed everyone in Brussels that Hungary gets the largest share of migrants among the EU member states: 60,000 migrants arrived so far this year, Greece and Italy are only in second and third place, respectively. Yet these two countries have received over €160 million for handling migration-related issues, while Hungary received only €1.5 million."
"The only solution is for every country to protect its borders, either together, if receive help for that, or separately. And there is also the risk of a new wave of migrants from Ukraine as a result of the prolonged conflict with Russia."