Reform of EU asylum regulations stuck in half-heartedness

The European Commission is planning a reform of the current asylum legislation, which is based on the so-called Dublin Regulation “It is true that change is needed,” say European Parliament members Sander Loones and Helga Stevens. “And it’s also true that the Commission has put forward a number of very interesting proposals. But unfortunately, they remain stuck halfway on a number of important points. What we need most is a strong border policy, a strict maximum limit imposed on the influx and sanctions for member states that do not want to contribute their share with regard to providing asylum shelter.”

Anyone wanting to apply for asylum in the European Union must now in principle do that in the first member state where he or she enters. What alternative does the European Commission propose? Various options are on the table: making the current system more strict, or replacing it entirely by a new system for distributing asylum seekers. “We prefer the second option,” Sander Loones says, “a thorough reform and a truly new distribution system. It is indeed not logical that a small number of member states, such as Belgium, have to provide shelter to almost all asylum seekers. All EU countries must contribute their fair share.”

It won’t work without a maximum limit and extra sanctions

The Commission is now also proposing such distribution. “But its plans are half-hearted,” Sander Loones says with regret. “This proposal does not impose a maximum limit on the number of asylum seekers that can come to Europe every year. This would not strengthen the borders, but on the contrary open them up further. And no sanctions are included for member states that refuse to participate.”

Comprehensive approach

The N-VA has been emphasising the same points time and again in the European Parliament for months now. “It is striking that reality is proving that we are right and that our measures are being increasingly introduced,” says Helga Stevens. “Our call for a push-back policy was followed by the agreement between the EU and Turkey. And the Commission is now also planning to give a European coast and border control a role, as we have been demanding for a long time.” Helga Stevens mentions a number of other interesting points: “Asylum seekers would for example not be able to just move from one member state to another. That means true distribution. In addition, there is a focus on a more temporary protection status. This means that when their country of origin is safe again, they will be expected to return.”

“The EU should now implement the rest of our ideas,” says Sander Loones. “They must introduce more robust return agreements with the North African countries, rather than just with Turkey. And more investments must be made in better shelter in the region. In addition, the EU must remove obstacles that currently make social integration and activation of refugees difficult.”