At the center of many negotiations, the reform of EU asylum policy is expected to pass a key stage today with the European Parliament voting on several important articles, mainly concerning solidarity between member states in receiving asylum seekers.

Immigration is back high on the European agenda as asylum applications surge in the EU, while refugees often die trying to cross the Mediterranean.

The European Commission presented in September 2020 a “Pact on Migration and Asylum” aimed at ensuring a better distribution of asylum seekers among member countries, another attempt at reform after the failure to impose mandatory quotas following the 2015 migration crisis .

“The existing rules are not clear and the system is not effective, these are the challenges the Pact must respond to,” underlined French MEP Fabien Keller of Renew Europe, who has proposed one of the texts that will be put to a vote today by the Civil Liberties and Home Affairs committees of the European Parliament.

These votes will then pave the way for negotiations between member countries, which “will not be easy”, the MEP admitted, recalling the goal of a final agreement before February 2024.

“We are faced with a choice: either the EU will be led to an impasse in the field of immigration policy, or we will try to find constructive and common solutions,” said Swedish MEP Thomas Tobe of the European People’s Party, who has tabled another text.

Under the existing rules – the Dublin Regulation – the country responsible for examining a migrant’s asylum claim is the one from which he or she entered the EU. This places the greatest burden on Malta, Italy, Greece and the Spain, main entry countries for immigrants.

“Balanced Combination”

The reform proposal wants to strengthen the criterion of the presence of a relative of the asylum seeker in an EU country, while expanding the concept of family ties.

A solidarity mechanism is envisaged for member countries facing migratory pressures, especially those receiving migrants rescued at sea.

“Relocation is the main way of contributing to the reduction of migratory pressure” in countries facing large inflows of migrants. “However, member states can also contribute through other means”, such as financial support, the provision of material aid or personnel to these countries, Tobe explained, speaking of “a well-balanced combination that offers solidarity and flexibility at the same time”.

Another text put to the vote provides for fast border procedures for citizens of countries considered safe, who statistically have little chance of receiving refugee status in the EU.

In 2022, more than 880,000 asylum applications were submitted, mainly by Syrians, Afghans, Turks and Venezuelans. These were mainly submitted in Germany, France, Spain and Austria, according to the latest figures from Eurostat, which reported a 64% increase in applications compared to 2021.

Hungary recorded the fewest asylum applications, just 45.