BRUSSELS, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- The European Union countries on Monday approved a major tightening of European migration policy, including support for the concept of establishing "return hubs" outside the 27 nation bloc for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner told reporters following a meeting of interior ministers of EU countries that "the EU must speed up to give people a sense of control over what is happening." He has emphasized that the package of measures approved by the interior ministers in Brussels aims to accelerate and simplify procedures for the return of individuals residing illegally in EU member states.
The regulation includes mechanisms at the EU level to facilitate the return process, impose obligations on those residing illegally, provide tools for cooperation among member states, and enable the establishment of return centers in third countries.
According to EU Commission data, three out of four irregular migrants who have been issued a return decision within the EU continue to stay instead of returning to their countries.
The new regulation is expected to significantly improve these numbers by imposing clear obligations on illegally residing foreign nationals and providing member states with broader tools, including longer detention periods and extended entry bans.
The regulation also allows for agreements with third countries to establish return centers that can function either as temporary facilities or as final destinations for return.
The regulation imposes strict obligations on individuals subject to return decisions, including the requirement to leave the member state, cooperate with authorities, provide identity and travel documents, submit biometric data, and refrain from fraudulently opposing the return procedure.
Penalties for non-compliance may include denial of certain benefits or work permits and criminal sanctions, which may include imprisonment.
The regulation designates "return countries" based on agreements that respect international human rights standards and principles of international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, and specifies the conditions for the stay of illegally residing individuals and procedures in case the agreement is violated.
It also includes special measures for individuals posing a security risk, such as longer or indefinite entry bans and extended detention periods.
Through mutual recognition of return decisions, member states will be able to directly enforce a return decision issued by another member state without issuing a new decision, sending a strong message that irregular migrants cannot avoid return by moving to another EU country.
The European Return Order (ERO) will be implemented within two years from the regulationآ’s entry into force and will be recorded in the Schengen Information System to facilitate information sharing among member states.
The European Commission noted that the agreement reached today will serve as the basis for negotiations with the European Parliament to finalize the legal text. (end) arn.rk