EU leaders at a summit in Brussels have signaled a significant shift in the bloc’s migration policy by endorsing the idea of outsourcing migration management and exploring innovative solutions to reduce asylum applications. While details on how this would work in practice are still unclear, the move marks a departure from traditional norms.
The proposal includes establishing “return hubs” in non-EU countries to process rejected asylum applications, offering international protection in safe third countries, and financially supporting organizations to facilitate the return of migrants to their home countries. Some countries, like Spain and Belgium, have voiced concerns about the effectiveness and cost of these measures.
The summit also addressed the issue of instrumentalised migration by Belarus and Russia at the EU’s Eastern border, with Poland proposing a temporary suspension of the right to asylum in response. The EU leaders agreed that exceptional situations require appropriate measures to protect external borders in accordance with EU and international law.
The leaders called for more comprehensive agreements with neighboring countries to prevent migration flows and highlighted the importance of implementing existing EU legislation. While there is support for these measures, concerns remain about their impact on human rights and the asylum process.
Overall, the summit reflects a growing consensus among EU leaders to address migration challenges through external partnerships and innovative approaches, despite ongoing debates and criticisms from humanitarian organizations. The decisions made at the summit will shape the future of EU migration policy and its impact on migrants and asylum seekers.
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