Migrants rescued from the Geo Barents ship operated by NGO Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have arrived in the Italian port of Ravenna, highlighting ongoing concerns about migrant arrivals in Europe. In response, fifteen European Union member states, including Italy, have signed a letter proposing new measures to limit migrant arrivals through the establishment of foreign hubs. This call for action comes just days after the EU finalized a common asylum policy, known as the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The letter urges the European Commission to implement additional measures to curb migration. It references previous agreements with Turkey and Tunisia, as well as the Italy-Albania agreement, as models for future initiatives. The EU executive acknowledged receiving the document but emphasized the need for time to review its “complex” contents.
The signatories of the letter include Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Romania, and Finland. Notably, Germany, France, and Spain did not sign the letter.
The rise of far-right political parties across Europe has led to stricter stances on migration, with some governments linking migration control to the protection of national identity and culture. In the Netherlands, for instance, right-wing leader Geert Wilders recently announced a coalition agreement that includes stringent anti-migration measures, such as increased deportations.
The letter emphasizes the signatories’ responsibility to maintain stability and social cohesion, warning against the potential polarization of European societies and the loss of unity within the EU. It also addresses the political exploitation of migration issues by countries like Russia and Belarus, calling for a stronger legal framework to be implemented alongside the New Pact.
A key proposal in the letter is to enhance the external dimension of EU migration policy by forming long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with countries along migration routes. It suggests outsourcing certain migration procedures, a concept previously rejected by Brussels. The letter proposes exploring “safe places and transit mechanisms,” inspired by existing models, and cites the Italy-Albania agreement as a potential blueprint.
The document further recommends establishing cooperation with third countries and creating repatriation hubs where migrants awaiting their final destinations could be transferred. This would help alleviate the pressure on EU countries’ migration management systems. Additionally, the letter advocates for allowing member states to transfer asylum seekers to safe third countries when possible, to reduce overall migration pressure.
The signatories urge the European Commission to present a proposal for designating safe third countries at the EU level, in alignment with the new asylum and migration pact. They also call for exploring practical ways to implement these proposals within the existing legal framework while adhering to international obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning asylum seekers to countries where they may face harm.
As the EU grapples with migration challenges, the letter represents a push by several member states for a more stringent and externally focused approach to managing migrant arrivals. The ongoing debate and actions taken in response to these proposals will significantly shape the future of migration policy in Europe.