PLAN The tensions caused by the distress of the Ocean Viking pushes the European Commission to make its migration policy more effective
The disembarkation of passengers from the Ocean Viking in Toulon on 3 November. Drawing. — Vincenzo Circosta
The standoff between France and Italy over the reception of passengers from the Ocean Viking has revived the debate on the migration policy of the European Union, which has stalled for two years. The European Commission therefore wants to speed up the application of a solidarity mechanism. already adopted but who is slow to be applied.
In June, as part of a voluntary approach, a dozen European countries (including France and Germany) committed themselves to accommodate 8,000 asylum seekers arriving in Mediterranean countries over a year, but only 117 relocations have taken place so far. present. “We need to step up the pace,” European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson presenting her plan on Monday.
Asked about the announcement by French Minister Gérald Darmanin on November 10 (replying to the attitude of Rome) of a suspension of the planned reception of 3,500 refugees currently in Italy, the Commissioner recalled that the voluntary solidarity mechanism had been approved thanks to; France during its rotating presidency of the EU. “I am of course counting on France and on Gérald to continue to work. to be as constructive as it has always been,” she commented.
In the absence of welcome, solidarity financial
Ylva Johansson also called to the implementation of “alternative solidarity measures” Some European countries were committed, to failure to welcome candidates to the asylum, at provide assistance, particularly financial, to countries of first arrival. The Swedish commissioner underlined that the central Mediterranean route was the one with the most irregular arrivals – 90,000 this year, an increase of more than 50% compared to last year – and one of the most dangerous. “A large majority people arriving by this route today are not in need of international protection,” she said.
“Migrants arriving via Libya are mainly from Egypt, Tunisia and Bangladesh,” said Ylva Johansson, who traveled to Bangladesh last week to convince authorities of this. countries to prevent “irregular arrivals in the EU” and to take back their nationals who have not been granted asylum, while evoking the need to of “legal channels of migration”.
She also welcomed the “good cooperation with Niger, which has enabled significantly reduce arrivals from south of the Sahara.
The Italians want to link assistance at sea to the flags of ships
Italy hailed the action plan, in particular the application of the solidarity mechanism. This one “has produced up to’ shows results immediately. insufficient,” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. He also pointed out the importance of “better coordination of sea rescue activities (…) which gives, as Italy claims, a role to the States granting their flag” to a humanitarian ship.
Ships flying the French, Norwegian or German flag regularly dock in Italy to the great displeasure of the authorities of the peninsula who claim, without success, that the States whose flag these ships fly take charge of the migrants.