Monday

2nd Oct 2023

Czech EU presidency proposes annual asylum relocation figure

  • The EU is hoping to get a deal on EU-wide asylum and migration laws before the 2024 EU elections. (Photo: Fotomovimiento)
Listen to article

The Czech EU presidency is proposing an annual minimum on the number of asylum seekers EU states are willing to relocate.

The idea is part of bigger discussion on solidarity sharing, a concept that has long eluded member states when it comes to EU-wide migration and asylum reforms.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

An internal presidency paper from 20 October, and seen by EUobserver, is proposing either 5,000 or 10,000 voluntary relocations per year.

The figures were offered as suggestions to gauge what EU states are willing to accept.

That debate feeds into an overhaul of the EU's asylum and migration laws proposed by the European Commission in September 2020.

Both the European Parliament and the Council, representing member states, are hoping to wrap up the files before the European elections in 2024.

Among the key legislative files in the reforms is the so-called Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, which governs the entire framework.

The Czechs want to embed the minimum relocation threshold into the regulation.

Under the Czech plan, the European Commission would still be able to propose a higher annual relocation target.

But how to calculate so-called solidarity contributions among EU states remains elusive.

If relocation pledges fall short, then the EU state under pressure can trigger another option.

Under Dublin rules, a member state can transfer a person to the first country of entry, typically Greece or Italy.

Should Greece or Italy not get enough relocation pledges, then they could apply for a corresponding reduction of Dublin cases.

"This would shift the responsibility to member states providing solidarity," notes the paper.

Children who are alone, as well as family related transfers, would be excluded from the scope.

This differs from the European Commission's so-called return sponsorships, whereby an EU state could help deport someone instead of relocating an asylum seeker.

The solidarity ideas are among many that have sought to create some sort of balance with what the EU has coined flexible responsibility.

It is not immediately clear if EU states will agree to the Czech presidency idea. Should they fall short, it will be up to the next EU presidency under Sweden to try to find a solution.

Opinion

New deregulation will see EU states cherry-picking asylum law

Through a mechanism to be discussed on Wednesday, member states would permanently be able to derogate at will from their obligations under EU asylum law — de fact creating a cherry-picking system between EU member states.

A troubled past hangs over Czech presidential election

The Czech Republic goes to the polls on 13 January in the first round of presidential elections, with a second round run-off two weeks later. Results will say a lot about Czechs' vision for their future — and troubled past.

EU Ombudsman warns of 'new normal' of crisis decision-making

Emily O'Reilly cited the post-pandemic recovery funds, the windfall taxes on energy companies, and the joint purchase of vaccines, as procedures which received limited scrutiny from the national parliaments — as a result of emergency decision-making powers that bypassed parliament.

Latest News

  1. EU ministers go to Kyiv to downplay fears on US, Slovak aid
  2. Hoekstra faces tough questioning to be EU Green chief
  3. Frontex shared personal data of NGO staff with Europol six times
  4. Why EU Commission dumped Google's favourite consultant
  5. Slovak's 'illiberal' Fico victory boosts Orbán, but faces checks
  6. European Political Community and key media vote This WEEK
  7. Is the ECB sabotaging Europe's Green Deal?
  8. The realists vs idealists Brussels battle on Ukraine's EU accession

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  2. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us