European Union nations have given their endorsement to comprehensive reforms to the bloc's asylum system, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to address migration challenges. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which has been in the works for over eight years, was officially approved by the EU's economy ministers. This development comes at a crucial time as Europe gears up for continent-wide elections next month, with migration expected to be a key issue on the agenda.
The new pact, comprising 10 legislative sections spanning over 1,500 pages of legal text, sets out guidelines for screening individuals to determine their eligibility for protection, such as asylum, or for deportation if they do not have the right to remain in Europe. Notably, Hungary and Poland, known for their resistance to hosting migrants or bearing the costs associated with them, voted against the package.
Mainstream political parties view the pact as a step towards resolving longstanding disputes that arose following the influx of over 1 million migrants into Europe in 2015, many of whom were fleeing conflict in Syria and Iraq. By addressing key issues related to migration, proponents of the reforms hope to undermine the appeal of far-right parties in the upcoming elections.
Despite the approval of the pact, its full implementation is not expected until 2026, offering no immediate solution to the ongoing challenges faced by EU member states in managing migration flows. The issue of responsibility-sharing and mutual assistance among nations remains a contentious issue, with disagreements persisting over the allocation of migrants and the extent of support that countries should provide.
Critics of the pact have raised concerns about provisions that could lead to the detention of migrants at borders and the fingerprinting of children. They argue that the reforms are primarily aimed at restricting access to asylum and could potentially infringe on individuals' rights to seek protection. Moreover, there are fears that the pact may result in questionable agreements with less affluent countries that migrants transit through on their way to Europe.
