BOTA

The EU will return more migrants to their countries of origin

The EU will return more migrants to their countries of origin

European Union immigration ministers met in Stockholm to discuss visa restrictions and better coordination within the bloc on the return to the countries of origin of migrants without asylum in Europe.

Three years have passed since the 27-member bloc agreed to limit visas for countries that do not cooperate in returning migrants heading to Europe from their countries, only Gambia has been punished.

The European Commission proposed similar steps for Iraq, Senegal and Bangladesh, while two bloc officials said cooperation with Bangladesh on the return of migrants has improved. According to the latest data from Eurostat, the overall rate of block returns during 2021 was 21%.

The Swedish immigration minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, spoke to the media before the start of the meeting. Sweden currently holds the next presidency of the EU:

"We have a serious situation in terms of emigration to Europe. We are noticing an increase in irregular feeds. During the home affairs discussions we will focus on the return of those who have been refused asylum to Europe. This is important and Europe can do better."

Immigration is a very hot political topic, with the bloc's member countries keen to discuss increasing the return of migrants and reducing immigration, rather than rekindling bitter disputes between them over the division of responsibilities for caring for migrants reaching Europe. and earn the right to stay.

"I am very grateful to the Swedish presidency that asylum and illegal immigration are at the center of discussions today, because it is necessary, when looking at the figures of recent years and the current ones, which continue to grow in Europe and Austria in particular. It is important to increase the fight against the misuse of asylum", said Gerhard Karner, Minister of the Interior of Austria.

Rreth 160,000 emigrantë kaluan Mesdheun gjatë vitit 2022, sipas të dhënave të OKB-së, rruga kryesore për në Evropë për ata që largohen nga luftërat dhe varfëria në Lindjen e Mesme, Afrikë dhe Azinë Juglindore. Gjithashtu, rreth 8 milionë refugjatë ukrainas u vëndosen në Evropë.

“Dua të theksoj se për Gjermaninë është shumë e rëndësishme pritja humanitare e atyre që ikin. Duhet të ketë rrugë ligjore për të emigrimin dhe duhet të mënjanohen rrugët e rrezikshme përmes Mesdheut. Duhet të veprojmë siç duhet ndaj emigrantëve të parregullt”, tha Nancy Faeser, Ministre e Brendshme e Gjermanisë.

While EU countries, including Austria and Hungary, protest strongly against irregular, mostly Muslim immigration from the Middle East and North Africa, Germany is among those countries seeking to open their labor markets to foreign workers to meet the country's needs.

The leaders of the 27-member bloc will meet in Brussels in two weeks to discuss immigration while they are expected to call for the return of more immigrants to their countries of origin./VOA