The eight countries want “to strengthen the protection of external borders”, mainly through “infrastructure development”
Eight countries of the European Union call, ahead of the EU summit, an “innovative” asylum reform and strengthening of border protectionwhile calling for a “new major migration crisis” to be avoided, according to a letter seen today by AFP.
“The current asylum system is flawed” and it is “time for an innovative response”, write Austria, Denmark, Greece, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta and Slovakia.
The countries that sign the letter express the hope that there will be “hands-on advances” on Thursday and Friday on the occasion of the summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
Faced with an increase in irregular arrivals, the eight countries want “to strengthen the protection of external borders”, mainly through “infrastructure development”.
Countries, including Austria, have been asking for weeks for the EU to cover the cost of building fences.
The Commission is currently refusing, but has opened the door to funding surveillance tools such as cameras or motion detectors.
The countries signing the letter also express a desire to “increase the number of rapid returns”, “develop new partnerships with countries of origin of migrants” and “strengthen communication” to discourage would-be migrants.
In late January, European Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said she was confident that the asylum reform, which has been under discussion since September 2020, will be adopted before the 2024 European elections.
This issue has divided the EU since the refugee crisis of 2015-2016.
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