The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, assured this Friday that the leaders of the European Union (EU) remain committed to combating the phenomenon of irregular migration and to combating trafficking and smuggling in human beings.
Michel explained at the press conference at the end of the European Council in Brussels that Poland and Hungary had vetoed the adoption of summit conclusions on the issue of migration, after which the representative made a statement on the subject.
In the released text, Michel assured that EU leaders welcome the actions of the European Commission, with a focus on the fight against human trafficking and smuggling and its business model, and on tackling the root causes of irregular migration.
In the same note, Charles Michel stressed that Poland and Hungary defended the need to reach a consensus on a migration and asylum policy that “in the context of solidarity measures, relocation and resettlement should be decided on a voluntary basis that should be equally valid and equivalent “. not serve as a potential pull factor for irregular migration”.
Poland’s and Hungary’s veto prevented the adoption of conclusions, which must be done by unanimity.
Von der Leyen is confident that Madrid will conclude the migration and asylum pact
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was counting on the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union to reach an agreement on the migration and asylum pact in the next semester.
“Migration is a common challenge that requires a European response,” von der Leyen said at the European Council’s closing press conference, adding that “we count on the Spanish presidency to take it on [o Pacto sobre Migração e Asilo] To bring to a good end”.
The leader of the community’s executive stressed that member states and the European Parliament (EP) have already approved their respective political positions on the text, so that negotiations can begin to reach an agreement.
The European Commission advocates similar management at all external borders of the EU, the fight against human traffickers and smugglers and investments in economic stabilization in the countries of origin of migrants.
On the other hand, Brussels defends that qualified and safe immigration to the EU is ensured.
“We need to crack down on the criminal networks of smugglers and traffickers that exploit human desperation and we need to develop alternative routes to help people reach the EU safely, which violates the business model of smugglers and traffickers. third country parties, we need a new and comprehensive approach with packages we can offer these countries to work together,” he stressed.
The European Council did not adopt any conclusions on vetoed migrations from Poland and Hungary, with a statement by the President, Charles Michel, assuring the EU’s continued commitment to combating irregular entry into the territory and against trafficking in human beings and – smuggling.
Source: DN
