Ministers from five Mediterranean nations, including Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain, known as the MED5 nations, have united to urge the European Union to strengthen bilateral agreements with countries of migrant origin and allocate additional resources to address the root causes of migration.
The interior and migration ministers from these nations gathered on Gran Canaria Island to discuss the recent adoption of the EU parliament’s new migration and asylum pact on April 11. This pact, developed over years, signifies a substantial overhaul of the EU’s asylum policies, with the aim of streamlining border procedures and establishing shared responsibility among all 27 member states for managing migrant arrivals. These reforms, prompted by the significant migrant influx in 2015, are set to be enforced by 2026.
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska hailed the pact as a “historic” achievement but stressed the need for further progress. He emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of migration and prevention strategies.
Grande-Marlaska underscored the crucial role of bilateral cooperation in managing migration, urging the European Commission to deepen partnerships and agreements with third countries to curb the flow of irregular migrants. Additionally, he called for increased European funding and the use of flexible financing tools to support collaborative efforts.
Under current EU regulations, the arrival country is responsible for hosting and vetting asylum-seekers, as well as returning those deemed inadmissible. This has placed significant pressure on southern frontline states, leading to opposition from far-right factions.
While the new EU pact proposes measures such as establishing border centers to accommodate asylum-seekers and relocating some to “safe” countries outside the EU, it has faced criticism from migrant charities and NGOs. Amnesty International has warned that the pact could exacerbate human suffering.
In summary, the collective plea from the ministers highlights the urgent need for proactive measures, enhanced cooperation, and increased funding to effectively address the complexities of migration within the EU and globally.