An agreement on the new repatriation regulation and a list of safe countries. And that is exactly what Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who is in Brussels today to participate in the Council of Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice, was waiting for in order to propose to the Council of Ministers the draft law for the ratification of the new European legislation on migrants, through which the Italian government hopes to unblock the use of the center set up in Albania.
List of safe places
Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco and Tunisia. These are the countries of origin that should be considered safe, according to the EU decision this morning. Essentially, those departing from these countries will be subject to new procedures, including accelerated examination (which, except in specific cases, could lead to the rejection of their asylum application) or the possibility of having their application examined in a third country (outside the EU) through which they have transited.
Accelerated border procedures for migrants from safe countries could therefore be implemented not only at the EU's entry borders, but also in transit countries. These countries are also joined by countries waiting to join the European Union.
The list satisfies Italy's requests, given that Bangladesh and Egypt, as well as Tunisia, are the sources of the largest number of arrivals to Italian shores.
The concept of a safe third country
The safe third country concept also allows EU member states to reject an asylum application as inadmissible (without examining it on its merits) when asylum seekers could have sought and received international protection in a country outside the EU considered safe for them.
For example, if a migrant from sub-Saharan Africa passes through Morocco or Tunisia before arriving in Italy, then it is precisely there that he could have sought asylum.
In principle, countries should be considered safe if the percentage of residence permits granted to asylum seekers does not exceed 20%.
Under the updated rules adopted by the Council, Member States will be able to apply the concept of a safe third country based on the following three options: there is a “link” between the asylum seeker and the third country; the applicant has transited through the third country before reaching the EU; or there is an agreement or arrangement with a safe third country that ensures that a person’s asylum application will be examined in that third country. The application of the concept of a safe third country based on an agreement or arrangement is not possible in the case of unaccompanied minors.
Centers in safe third countries
The agreement reached on the new return regulation paves the way for the creation of so-called “return centres” outside Europe’s borders. “Regarding return centres, it is not my job to think about third countries. These are negotiations between Member States and then with third countries. It would be positive, of course, if several parties joined forces.
"I am thinking of the Netherlands, which is in discussions with Uganda. Germany has already joined the talks. Also, as between Italy and Albania. But it is not up to me to decide; we have already laid the legal basis to consider such new and innovative ideas," explained EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, upon his arrival at the EU Home Affairs Council.
Solidarity quotas for migrants
Still on the table is the definition of a "solidarity group", or commitments by Member States to assist countries of first arrival.
The Commission has put forward a proposal, but some countries continue to avoid the forms of solidarity that should be guaranteed to countries, such as Italy, exposed to migratory pressure that is considered to be beyond the threshold. Finland, for example, has already announced that it is only willing to contribute with monetary aid, but not to welcome migrants to its territory.
Now it's up to the 27 countries to agree. "I'm very optimistic that we will find a solution today, because it's a very important part of the overall migration pact," Commissioner Brunner expressed his confidence./ La Repubblica
