EU backs new policy to curb migration
Agreement widely welcomed, however divisions continue to exist
European Union leaders have headed off a major crisis after agreeing a future policy on immigration and asylumseekers.
The number of illegal entrants to the EU has dropped 96 percent from its peak in 2015, according to the European Council, but the issue remains particularly significant in Italy, which is still the arrival point for thousands of migrants.
As a result, Rome had threatened to veto the entire agenda of the 28-nation meeting unless a satisfactory solution could be reached.
Finally, leaders agreed to set up closed migrant centers across EU member states, hosted on a voluntary basis, to process asylum claims and sort out genuine applicants from illegal migrants, who will be turned away.
Nations will volunteer to host the centers and also to receive those who are allowed to stay, although no specific details of either have been released yet.
Borders will be tightened and the EU will increase financing for Turkey, Morocco and North African nations to discourage migration.
“Today, Italy is no longer alone,” said Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. “After this European summit, Europe is more responsible and offers more solidarity.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said the deal was “good news” while German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave it a cautious welcome and admitted there were still significant differences between member states.
“Overall, after an intensive discussion on the most challenging theme for the European Union, namely migration, it is a good signal that we agreed a common text,” she said. “We still have a lot of work to do to bridge the different views.”
Christopher Bovis, a professor of international business law at the University of Hull, said the agreement is a “huge milestone” in demonstrating EU member states’ efforts to address the migration crisis.
“It is a workable plan, and a very good deal that benefits the entire EU,” he said, while adding that the timing was also important. “The EU will soon need to focus on other talks, such as dealing with Brexit, therefore reaching an agreement relating to migration now is crucial. Furthermore, securing financing for the deal before the EU debt budget is fully allocated is also important.”
Andrew Osborne, a partner at the law firm Lewis Silkin, who specializes in migration law, said that the establishment of closed migrant centers was a significant breakthrough.
“It addresses the previously hotly debated topic of the unfairness of responsibility allocation between countries,” he said, although he said more details needed to emerge before their success could be determined.
He also praised moves to increase EU investment in Africa to help the continent achieve a “substantial socioeconomic transformation” so people no longer leave for a better life.
“Measures which stop people from risking their lives to come to the EU should be encouraged,” he added.