EU Commission President von der Leyen advocates for increased removal of non-EU nationals from the bloc
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Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, applauds reduced illegal border crossings.
In sunny Spain, Vallencia to be precise, von der Leyen announced a 30% drop in illegal border crossings compared to last year. "This decrease showcases the fruits our cooperation with southern neighbors is bearing," she stated at a European People's Party (EPP) congress.
Delving deeper into the issue, von der Leyen emphasized the need for increased deportation rates. "We've got to step up our game," she asserted, expressing discontent with the current 20% departure rate among asylum seekers whose applications are denied. She believe this figure falls far short of expectation and doesn't sit well with European citizens.
EU Shoring Up Aid with Partner Nations
Many asylum seekers linger within the EU due to reluctance from their countries of origin to accept them back or prolonged proceedings. To check this tide, the EU has entered into agreements with countries such as Tunisia, promising over €100 million to bolster border protection measures. Discussions are also underway with countries like Morocco.
The EU's Deportation Strategy
The EU's broader objective is to up its return rates, which currently hover around 20%. This involves establishing "return hubs" beyond EU borders by means of bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries.
The strategy encompasses externalizing migration management by setting up processing centers in third countries before potential deportation. Nonetheless, this approach has raised concerns about potential rights violations for migrants in these countries.
Partnerships Prospects with Tunisia and Morocco
Although details about current collaborations with Tunisia are sparse in recent news, leaders like von der Leyen and Giorgia Meloni have touted partnerships with countries like Tunisia as blueprints for future deals. Such agreements usually target deterring irregular migration through enhanced cooperation on deportations and border security.
In the North African realm, Morocco remains a crucial country, serving as a transit point for many migrants en route to Europe, making it a likely candidate for broader migration control endeavors. Nevertheless, specific information on agreements with Morocco regarding deportation hubs is currently scarce.
Challenges persist, however. Legal concerns and human rights objections question the ethics of these externalization practices. Furthermore, the implementation of such policies, as demonstrated by the Italy-Albania deal, can be intricate, featuring various legal and constitutional challenges.
- Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission President, expressed her satisfaction with a 30% decrease in migrants crossing EU borders illegally, especially in Spain.
- Von der Leyen emphasized the need for increased deportation rates of migrants whose asylum applications are denied, as the current 20% departure rate is unsatisfactory in the eyes of European citizens.
- To counter the influx of asylum seekers within the EU, the EU has struck deals with countries like Tunisia, promising over €100 million in aid to improve border protection measures.
- The EU aims to boost its return rates of migrants, currently around 20%, using strategies that include establishing "return hubs" in third countries through bilateral or multilateral agreements.
- Leaders like von der Leyen and Giorgia Meloni view partnerships with countries like Tunisia as models for future agreements aimed at deterring irregular migration through enhanced collaboration on deportations and border security, with Morocco being a significant potential partner in this endeavor.
