“The correct implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact is the key,” emphasized the vice-president of the Committee for the Promotion of the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, during his speech at an event organized by International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), in Brussels.

At the event, which took place on the occasion of the handover of the ICMPD presidency from Turkey to Greece, M. Schinas expressed his satisfaction with the resumption of Euro-Turkish relations, mainly on the issue of immigration and after the difficulties of the last four years. “Now, as we enter the last mile of this legislative cycle, I am really happy and proud that we have come to see the many possibilities through the revitalization of EU relations with Turkey, with migration always at the center of the so-called positive agenda.” , said M. Schinas. “Now that Greece takes over the presidency of this institute, it is the best proof that the country is further strengthening its active, outward-looking approach as a reliable partner in migration management,” added the Greek commissioner.

Referring to the “historic” political agreement on immigration and asylum in the EU, reached on December 20, M. Schinas emphasized that it is proof that Europe can and does provide solutions to the most pressing issues of Europeans. “Extremists, demagogues and populists, are trying to convince public opinion to the contrary. That is why we are now seeing a strange coalition emerging between the far Right of Europe and the far Left, who are starting to shoot down the pact before it is even implemented,” the Greek commissioner observed, pointing out that “Moria, Kale and the Lampedusa”, was the direct consequence of the fact that there was no single immigration policy in the EU.

The vice-president of the Commission underlined that the new Pact is based on two pillars: responsibility and solidarity. On accountability, he stressed that the new legislation introduces a short mandatory control procedure at the EU’s external borders, which is designed to get people through the appropriate procedures quickly. “Now we have a single procedure based on European legislation imposed by the EU institutions and financed with European resources”, said M. Schinas, while pointing out that “these procedures give us a powerful tool to deal with smugglers”.

Regarding the “solidarity” aspect, the Greek commissioner emphasized that a permanent guaranteed system is ensured, through integrated mechanisms, for any kind of situation that the member states may face. As he explained, this is a legal obligation that creates certainty that if each EU member state activates the ‘solidarity button’, the EU will provide the right mix necessary to deal with a particular crisis.

Continuing, M. Schinas referred to two more important issues related to the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. One is additional financial resources and the second is collaborations with third countries. With regard to financial resources, M. Schinas expressed the hope that the European Council of February 1, which is called to review the Multiannual Financial Support Framework of the EU in the period 2021-2027, will provide the required response for the management of immigration. Regarding relations with third countries, the Vice-President of the Commission stressed that the EU should conclude partnership agreements with around 25 countries, which are the main countries of origin and transit of migrants. “This is possible,” said M. Schinas with certainty, stressing that during the last years many steps have been taken to address this challenge of the external dimension. “Declaration with Turkey, cooperation with the Western Balkans, agreements with Bangladesh, discussions with Pakistan, North Africa, Egypt, we have left no stone unturned in order to bring third countries into the framework of cooperation and partnership with us” , said M. Schinas.

Concluding, the Vice-President of the Commission stressed that the key challenge going forward is “the proper implementation of the provisions of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum”, saying: “This will be the key. I am very optimistic and confident that it will work. We have a collective obligation to make the new Pact work.”