New winds on migration – this is what's happening now

The wish list is clear for tougher measures on asylum and migration in the EU. The far-right is rejoicing over "new winds in Europe".

» Published: October 23 2024

New winds on migration – this is what's happening now
Photo: Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP/TT

Last week's EU summit in Brussels was dominated by a migration discussion with clear demands for tougher measures. This has prompted the most migration-critical EU leaders to quickly add even more wishes.

At a meeting in Slovakia on Tuesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovakia's Robert Fico, and President Aleksandar Vucic from non-EU country Serbia agreed to push for placing all asylum seekers in centers in North Africa.

You'll have to wait outside. All other solutions are ineffective, said Orbán according to news agency AP.

Proposals underway

So far, however, it's a long way to go before any common asylum centers outside the EU. On the other hand, it's clear to see what other new measures are on the way.

First and foremost, a proposal is likely to come that tightens the requirements for people who have not been granted asylum in the EU to return home and how it should be done. This has been promised by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, but will not be presented until her new commission is in place, at the earliest from December 1.

According to plans, it is Austria's conservative Finance Minister Magnus Brunner who will take over as asylum and migration responsible. There will be many questions about how he intends to act when he is questioned by the EU Parliament on November 5.

Agreements and walls

Step number two will likely focus on more billion-euro agreements with countries outside the EU, similar to those made with Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt. They are formally intended to support local migration management, but have been criticized for being a way for the EU to buy itself tougher measures against migrants and asylum seekers who have not yet set foot in boats across the Mediterranean.

A third step is to draw up a common list of "safe countries" to which migrants can be sent back without danger – something the EU Commission has been working on for a long time.

Step number four may be to formally allow EU funds for border walls and fences – a fresh demand from the heavy group of conservative parties in the EU, where M and KD are also included.

New winds?

Much farther away is the establishment of potential return centers or the type of asylum management outside the EU that Italy is testing in Albania.

Much is legally uncertain and will likely need to be tested in the EU Court – even if the shift towards tougher measures is clear.

A new wind is blowing in Europe, said Dutch anti-immigration veteran Geert Wilders in Brussels last week.

In the EU leaders' joint statement on migration from the Brussels summit on October 17, the importance of implementing the legislation they have decided on is emphasized – in practice, the asylum and migration pact they voted on in the spring.

The EU leaders also call for increased cooperation with the countries from which refugees come from or pass through. They want the EU Commission to swiftly come up with new legislative proposals to speed up returns, a proposal that President Ursula von der Leyen has already promised.

Russia and Belarus are particularly condemned for their way of pushing migrants and asylum seekers towards the EU.

Furthermore, it is stated that "new ways to prevent and combat irregular migration should be considered, in accordance with EU law and international laws".

Source: European Council.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok
2 MIN READ

Families Hold Vigil at Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse Site

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway
1 MIN READ

Swedish Man Extradited to Norway in Major Drug Trafficking Case

Netanyahu Aides Detained in Qatargate
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Aides Detained in Qatargate Scandal Investigation

Le Pen Convicted of EU
2 MIN READ

Le Pen Convicted of EU Funds Fraud, Faces 2027 Election Ban

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Prepares for Possible Ukrainian Election This Summer

Vehicle Linked to Missing US
1 MIN READ

Vehicle Linked to Missing US Soldiers Found Underwater in Lithuania

Ukraine and Russia Exchange Drone
1 MIN READ

Ukraine and Russia Exchange Drone Strikes Overnight

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern
1 MIN READ

Israel Urges Palestinians in Southern Gaza to Relocate to al-Mawasi

Iran Vows Powerful Response if
1 MIN READ

Iran Vows Powerful Response if US Launches Attack

Three Found Dead in Southern
1 MIN READ

Three Found Dead in Southern Norway; Police Investigate Possible Link

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief
1 MIN READ

Netanyahu Appoints New Security Chief Despite Court Block and Protests

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds
2 MIN READ

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Exceeds 1,700 as Hopes Fade

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in
3 MIN READ

Le Pen's Presidential Hopes in Jeopardy as Fraud Verdict Looms

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing
1 MIN READ

Trump Accuses Zelenskyj of Backing Out of US Mineral Deal

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's
2 MIN READ

Zelensky Thanks Stubb for Finland's Support After Trump Golf Diplomacy

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without
1 MIN READ

Ice Storm Leaves 500,000 Without Power Across US and Canada

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly
1 MIN READ

Islamic Extremists Suspected in Deadly Attack on Burkina Faso Soldiers

Trump Hints at Third Term
1 MIN READ

Trump Hints at Third Term Despite Constitutional Limits

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War
1 MIN READ

Erna Solberg Witnesses Ukraine's War Devastation on Frontline Journey

US Students Face Deportation Over
3 MIN READ

US Students Face Deportation Over Alleged Pro-Palestinian Support

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack
1 MIN READ

Red Cross Condemns Israeli Attack on Ambulance Workers in Rafah

Trump Warns of Strikes if
1 MIN READ

Trump Warns of Strikes if Iran Rejects Peace Deal Proposal

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over
1 MIN READ

Trump Frustrated with Putin Over Ukraine, Threatens New Tariffs

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm
1 MIN READ

Erdogan Urges PKK to Disarm Without Delay

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1
1 MIN READ

Tsunami Warning Lifted After 7.1 Earthquake Near Tonga

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm
2 MIN READ

Netanyahu Urges Hamas to Disarm in Ceasefire Talks

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in
2 MIN READ

Norwegian Rocket Test Ends in Crash but Deemed a Success by Isar Aerospace

Sudanese Army Takes Control of
2 MIN READ

Sudanese Army Takes Control of Khartum as RSF Withdraws

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot
1 MIN READ

Israeli Defense Intercepts Yemeni Robot as Air Raid Sirens Sound

US Pledges Strong Military Presence
1 MIN READ

US Pledges Strong Military Presence in Taiwan Strait to Deter China

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Prime Minister Firmly Rejects Trump's Takeover Claims

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills
1 MIN READ

Israeli Airstrike in Gaza Kills Eight, Including Five Children

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's
1 MIN READ

Grave Cleanup Sparks South Korea's Largest Forest Fire

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous
2 MIN READ

Greenland's Independence Dream: A Dangerous Utopia, Warns Lynge

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief
2 MIN READ

Civil War Complicates Earthquake Relief in Myanmar

Russian Attack on Kharkiv Leaves
2 MIN READ

Russian Attack on Kharkiv Leaves Two Civilians Dead, Hospital Damaged

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Hind Kabawat Becomes First Female Minister in Syria's New Government

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Drone Strike on Kharkiv Military Hospital

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on
1 MIN READ

Hezbollah Condemns Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon After Ceasefire

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Highlights Russia's Silence on US Ceasefire Proposal