New Pact on Migration and Asylum
CIVEX-VII/005
New Pact on Migration and Asylum
The opinion on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum presented by the European Commission on 23 September 2020 is an opportunity to practically address the issue of migration which, despite being a constant feature throughout human history, represents an urgent task for the EU and its Member States who need to build a stable migration system fully grounded in European values and international law. According to the European Commission, the Pact represents and attempt to 'move away from ad-hoc solutions and put in place a predictable and reliable migration management system' . It advocates integrated policy-making and comprises policies in the areas of asylum, migration, return, external border protection, fight against migrants’ smuggling and relations with third countries.
The policy area 'Migration and integration' falls under the CoR's overarching political priority 2: Managing fundamental societal transformations: Building resilient regional and local communities'. Under this priority, all European decisions should be taken in light of the commitment to tackle the major societal transformations
facing the villages, cities and regions.
The primary objective of this opinion is for the regional and local input to be taken into consideration in the reform of EU’s migration policy. This is because the socio-economic impact of migration and everyday questions of reception and integration of migrants are strongly felt at local and regional level. The issue can be even more significant for the cities and regions that are close to points of entry into the EU as well as for the ones that receive many asylum seekers or refugees. The experience shows that migration occurs not only cross border, but also within the same country from one region to another as migrants from the same town or region in countries of origin tend to concentrate in the same geographical areas in the host country . This must be acknowledged and these regions need additional support.
The position of the European Committee of the Regions with regards to future EU migration policies is contained in its Resolution adopted on 2 July 2020 concerning its priorities for 2020-2025, 'Europe closer to the people through its villages, cities and regions' . Under the points 41 and 42, the CoR's priorities (and hence the objectives of this opinion) are to:
Ensure that the EU develops a comprehensive, humanitarian and fair migration policy and does not leave its Member States, border regions, islands and outermost regions alone in dealing with the migration crisis, as this is both a national and a European issue; support the exchange of best practices between regional and local authorities on the integration of migrants;
Provide regional and local input into reforming the EU’s migration policy, including integration, fair return procedures and asylum policies that should be able to respond adequately to current and future migration trends; address the root causes of migration, in cooperation with countries of origin and transit, for those in need of humanitarian protection; protect the EU’s external borders; prevent irregular migration and fight against human trafficking.
The policy area 'Migration and integration' falls under the CoR's overarching political priority 2: Managing fundamental societal transformations: Building resilient regional and local communities'. Under this priority, all European decisions should be taken in light of the commitment to tackle the major societal transformations
facing the villages, cities and regions.
The primary objective of this opinion is for the regional and local input to be taken into consideration in the reform of EU’s migration policy. This is because the socio-economic impact of migration and everyday questions of reception and integration of migrants are strongly felt at local and regional level. The issue can be even more significant for the cities and regions that are close to points of entry into the EU as well as for the ones that receive many asylum seekers or refugees. The experience shows that migration occurs not only cross border, but also within the same country from one region to another as migrants from the same town or region in countries of origin tend to concentrate in the same geographical areas in the host country . This must be acknowledged and these regions need additional support.
The position of the European Committee of the Regions with regards to future EU migration policies is contained in its Resolution adopted on 2 July 2020 concerning its priorities for 2020-2025, 'Europe closer to the people through its villages, cities and regions' . Under the points 41 and 42, the CoR's priorities (and hence the objectives of this opinion) are to:
Ensure that the EU develops a comprehensive, humanitarian and fair migration policy and does not leave its Member States, border regions, islands and outermost regions alone in dealing with the migration crisis, as this is both a national and a European issue; support the exchange of best practices between regional and local authorities on the integration of migrants;
Provide regional and local input into reforming the EU’s migration policy, including integration, fair return procedures and asylum policies that should be able to respond adequately to current and future migration trends; address the root causes of migration, in cooperation with countries of origin and transit, for those in need of humanitarian protection; protect the EU’s external borders; prevent irregular migration and fight against human trafficking.
On 10 April 2024 The Euopean Parliament adopted the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Undertaking that asylum claims will be examined more quickly, including more effective returns. Improved identification prodcedures at arrival; mandatory security, vulnerability and health checks for people who are entering the EU irregularly. Member states can now choose between taking responsibility for asylum applicants, making financial contributions, or providing operational support to these efforts. A better response during crisis situations and new voluntary scheme for the resettlement of refugees from third countries are also promised.
On 20 December 2023, the Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament reached a deal on the core political elements of five key regulations - components of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum - that will thoroughly overhaul the EU's legal framework on asylum and migration.
Importantly for the Committee of the Regions, many of its recommendations were taken up by the European Parliament rapporteurs, such as that a migration 'crisis' needs to be understood (also) from a local and regional perspective; that Member States should consult LRAs when establishing their national strategies on migration management; that cities and regions are key players in the achievement of meaningful solidarity and successful relocation and integration trajectories, and that Member States should take measures to support LRAs, such as by providing them with financial support, information, technical support, and by reducing unnecessary administrative barriers.
On 20 December 2023, the Spanish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament reached a deal on the core political elements of five key regulations - components of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum - that will thoroughly overhaul the EU's legal framework on asylum and migration.
Importantly for the Committee of the Regions, many of its recommendations were taken up by the European Parliament rapporteurs, such as that a migration 'crisis' needs to be understood (also) from a local and regional perspective; that Member States should consult LRAs when establishing their national strategies on migration management; that cities and regions are key players in the achievement of meaningful solidarity and successful relocation and integration trajectories, and that Member States should take measures to support LRAs, such as by providing them with financial support, information, technical support, and by reducing unnecessary administrative barriers.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
supports the Commission's objective of developing a comprehensive system for managing migration in the long term, including refugee migration, based on European values, in particular the values of solidarity and dignity, as well as on EU and international law;
is concerned that the local and regional dimension has not been sufficiently taken into account and that the countries on the EU's external borders are once again to have primary responsibility for arrival and registration; is critical of the fact that the first entry criterion is being maintained;
welcomes in principle the proposal to introduce a solidarity mechanism; however, is sceptical about whether the 'return sponsorship' system is feasible in practice;
underlines the importance of human rights and the rule of law, principles which also apply at the external borders of Europe. This holds true particularly for the proposed border procedures; a different model from the one linked to the protection rate should be chosen;
calls for the proposed screening procedure to be conducted in a way that allows for an effective identification of "particular vulnerabilities" at an early stage and underlines the need to avoid duplications;
notes that successful crisis management begins at local and regional level; coordination with local and regional authorities should therefore be a top priority;
suggests that immediate protection be granted, at the discretion of Member States, in crisis situations not only to refugees from armed conflict, but also to other vulnerable groups;
proposes setting the age threshold for biometric data collection within the framework of Eurodac at the age of 12 years;
welcomes the Commission's wish to create safe pathways to Europe; calls on the Commission and the Member States to further expand resettlement programmes, set up more humanitarian reception programmes, such as community sponsorship programmes, and encourage the recruitment of skilled and talented workers from third countries;
stresses the need for easier, clearer access for local and regional authorities, including at macro-regional level, to EU funding for integration and inclusion;
strongly supports the Commission's objective of stepping up the fight against migrant smuggling; calls for a particular focus on the potential victims of trafficking.
supports the Commission's objective of developing a comprehensive system for managing migration in the long term, including refugee migration, based on European values, in particular the values of solidarity and dignity, as well as on EU and international law;
is concerned that the local and regional dimension has not been sufficiently taken into account and that the countries on the EU's external borders are once again to have primary responsibility for arrival and registration; is critical of the fact that the first entry criterion is being maintained;
welcomes in principle the proposal to introduce a solidarity mechanism; however, is sceptical about whether the 'return sponsorship' system is feasible in practice;
underlines the importance of human rights and the rule of law, principles which also apply at the external borders of Europe. This holds true particularly for the proposed border procedures; a different model from the one linked to the protection rate should be chosen;
calls for the proposed screening procedure to be conducted in a way that allows for an effective identification of "particular vulnerabilities" at an early stage and underlines the need to avoid duplications;
notes that successful crisis management begins at local and regional level; coordination with local and regional authorities should therefore be a top priority;
suggests that immediate protection be granted, at the discretion of Member States, in crisis situations not only to refugees from armed conflict, but also to other vulnerable groups;
proposes setting the age threshold for biometric data collection within the framework of Eurodac at the age of 12 years;
welcomes the Commission's wish to create safe pathways to Europe; calls on the Commission and the Member States to further expand resettlement programmes, set up more humanitarian reception programmes, such as community sponsorship programmes, and encourage the recruitment of skilled and talented workers from third countries;
stresses the need for easier, clearer access for local and regional authorities, including at macro-regional level, to EU funding for integration and inclusion;
strongly supports the Commission's objective of stepping up the fight against migrant smuggling; calls for a particular focus on the potential victims of trafficking.
