The adoption of the Migration and Asylum Pact by the European Parliament was welcomed today by the Presidents of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, calling today a “historic” day.
“Today is indeed a historic day. After years of intense work, the Migration and Asylum Pact is becoming a reality. It is a huge achievement for Europe,” Ursula von der Leyen emphasized in her statements to journalists, shortly after the crucial vote in the European Parliament. In fact, at the beginning of her speech, she did not fail to thank the Vice-President for the European way of life, Margariti Schina and the Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
“You and your staffs have worked tirelessly over the years to make the Pact a reality. Now you’ve succeeded,” he said.
“Immigration is a European challenge that must be tackled with a (single) European solution,” Ursula von der Leyen then said, stressing that the Pact adopted today is effective, fair and stable. He explained that the new rules will make Europe’s borders more secure by checking and recording those who cross them, while ensuring that fundamental rights are protected.
He also added that procedures for asylum seekers will be more efficient, meaning that those without a right to asylum will not remain in the EU, while those fleeing war will have the protection they need.
Regarding the “solidarity” aspect, the President of the Commission stressed that when the Member States of first entry face immigration pressures, all other states should share the burden, choosing how they want to do it.
“We will continue to respond to all crises: from Lampedusa, to the border of Finland and from the Canary Islands to Cyprus,” said the President of the Commission, stressing that the EU will decide who enters its territory and under what conditions .
In conclusion, the President of the Commission referred to the partnerships that the EU is developing with countries of origin and transit in order to address the root causes of migration and finally added: “I am proud that we now have a European solution, but the work does not stop here.”
For her part, the President of the European Parliament emphasized that the Pact ensures the right balance between solidarity and responsibility. He admitted that it does not solve all the issues “overnight”, but it is a “giant step forward” because it ensures that those who need protection get it.
The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexandre de Croix, said that the migration issue is a complex phenomenon of all times and there is no magic solution, but as he said this Pact provides the member states with the appropriate tools to control and manage migration flows. He emphasized that the key elements of the Pact are the better protection of external borders, the better sharing of burdens between member states and ensuring that only asylum seekers in need of international protection will remain in Europe.
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