The interior ministers of the European Union have taken an important step to unblock the migration and asylum pact presented more than two years ago. Specifically, the issue of solidarity and responsibility with the countries that receive the most arrivals of asylum seekers has been approved.
Under the agreement, governments agree to welcome migrants and asylum seekers who arrive in countries under pressure, such as Spain or Italy. Those who do not want to participate in the sharing mechanism will be able to make financial contributions to those who do host migrants.
“The vast majority of countries have been in favor of this solidarity, and a dozen countries are in favor of relocations, which is very positive,” said French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. Germany and France are among the countries that have pledged to take in migrants. The mechanism, however, is completely voluntary, and only countries that wish to participate will participate.
In the coming days, as explained by Darminin, the European countries that commit to accepting the migrants must inform the European Commission about what the number of people in total could be. The mechanism would have an initial term of one year, although it could be extended if deemed necessary.
France believes that progress has been made because they have separately negotiated the issue of solidarity, with stricter rules on border control. A consensus has also been achieved on biometric data regulations (Eurodac) and prior control at the external border.
