Asylum crisis: “All Member States must take responsibility within strong European borders”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker devoted nearly his entire State of the Union address to the asylum crisis. “Actually, we can only make an assessment of his speech once we know more about the specific elements of the plans that he presented,” says Sander Loones, N-VA vice-chairman and Member of the European Parliament. “Our party can only be satisfied with proposals that lead to a responsible EU, with accountable Member States.” Elements were missing from the distribution plan presented by the German Groenen in the margin of the State of the Union, elements that the N-VA considers to be critically essential to creating a structural approach to the asylum crisis. The N-VA delegation therefore voted against it.

The N-VA will only support a bundle of measures that consists of the following three elements: a stronger border policy, a Europe that poses no obstacle to the activation policy in the EU Member States and, lastly, a mandatory distribution plan in which all European Member States take responsibility and support asylum solidarity. “So also - and especially - the Eastern European countries, which expect and receive a great deal of European social and economic support, but up to now adamantly refuse to show this asylum solidarity. In that context of responsibility, there also cannot be any talk of a right to buy off the mandatory distribution of asylum seekers, an idea that is apparently on the table right now. Exemption from responsibility will undoubtedly lead to a failed European asylum policy,” predicts Loones.

Continuing to work on a structural solution
Member of the European Parliament Helga Stevens remarks that Juncker has opened the door to recognising a country such as Turkey as a safe country. “There are also others who are working on the same analysis in the footsteps of our party. Within this framework, I do not understand why Juncker rejects ‘push-backs’ to safe havens in Turkey. After all, these must ensure that asylum seekers do not try to make the dangerous crossing, but rather immediately opt for a safe place to stay. Stevens also expects the EU to continue to work on a structural solution in the regions in conflict. “Peace and stability in the Middle East are essential resources for stopping the refugee flow,” concludes Stevens.