EU approves migration and asylum policy overhaul

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
14 May 2024 09:16

The European Union is finalizing significant reforms to its migration policies, aiming to tighten border controls and distribute migrant responsibilities among member states.

In this image from a video released by the Italian Coast Guard on Thursday, April 11, 2024, a boat with migrants is approached by a rescue operation off the island of Lampedusa, Mediterranean Sea. (AP)

The European Union is set to approve significant reforms to its migration and asylum policies on Tuesday, concluding nearly ten years of debates.

These changes, prompted by the significant influx of migrants since 2015 from regions like Syria and Afghanistan, aim to strengthen border controls and distribute the responsibility for migrants among all EU member states.

The reforms, which were narrowly passed ahead of the EU elections that could see a shift towards the right, will be implemented in 2026, and include the establishment of new border centers to process asylum requests and quicker deportations for those not eligible.

Additionally, EU nations must either accept asylum-seekers from "frontline" countries like Italy and Greece, or contribute financially to those countries.

The pact has faced opposition from various quarters: nationalist governments, such as Hungary, have criticized the forced redistribution of migrants, while human rights organizations argue that it could increase human suffering.

Logistical, legal challenges

As the EU finalizes major reforms to its migration policies, it is also enhancing its agreements with countries of transit and origin to manage the influx of migrants. Recently, the EU has formed agreements with Tunisia, Mauritania, and Egypt aimed at reducing migrant arrivals.

Similarly, Italy has reached an agreement with Albania to handle migrants rescued in Italian waters while their asylum applications are processed.

Moreover, a coalition led by Denmark and the Czech Republic is advocating for the relocation of sea-rescued migrants to non-EU countries.

These initiatives, poised for consideration by the next EU administration post-European elections, pose logistical and legal challenges. As Camille Le Coz of the Migration Policy Institute Europe points out, there are "many questions" about the feasibility of such plans.

EU regulations mandate that migrants can only be relocated to a non-EU country if they have a substantial connection to that country, which currently excludes arrangements like the UK's agreement with Rwanda.

Le Coz emphasized the need for clarity on how the EU's potential outsourcing agreements would function and which third countries might participate, stating that it still needs "to be clarified" how proposals for any EU outsourcing deals would work.

"And secondly, who the European authorities are working with, and which third countries are likely to accept," she noted.

Ryanair CEO offers EU assistance with migrant deportations

Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary announced earlier, on Wednesday, May 8, the airline's readiness to assist European governments in deporting "illegal" migrants, stirring up controversy and debate across the continent.

Speaking to reporters near Brussels Airport, O'Leary unveiled this initiative while launching a campaign to boost participation in the upcoming European Parliament election, as reported by Politico.

"We have no issue in principle," O'Leary stated. Dismissive of concerns regarding potential damage to the airline's reputation, O'Leary said, "If European governments are properly deporting illegal arrivals ... to a country like Albania ... We are happy to fly those flights."

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions over migration, particularly in Ireland, which has witnessed a surge in asylum seekers from various regions, intensifying the strain on housing and contributing to rising crime rates.

Neighboring the UK, Ireland finds itself entangled in the fallout of tightened migration policies, including recent plans by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to deport "illegal" migrants to Rwanda, driving some asylum seekers to use Northern Ireland as a route to Ireland.

Addressing Sunak's proposals, O'Leary expressed willingness to conduct deportation flights to Rwanda if suitable aircraft were available. However, he noted limitations, stating, "We cannot go to Rwanda because we cannot fly that far," citing Ryanair's operational constraints. The airline's only African destination is Morocco, though flights to countries such as Albania remain feasible.

In a strategic maneuver, the UK government has secured a deal with Albania to repatriate "illegal" migrants, aligning with its broader efforts to manage migration flows. This arrangement, established in February, sees Tirana agreeing to host thousands of asylum seekers on behalf of Italy.

Ryanair, renowned as Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, is no stranger to controversy, having earned a reputation for its unconventional cost-saving methods. From encouraging flight attendants to lose weight to implementing a "fat tax" for overweight passengers, the airline's approach continues to generate headlines and spark debate.