New rules for refugees: What changes in EU procedure
The situation with the dramatic increase in refugees is worrying both the authorities of the European Union and ordinary citizens. Earlier, The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn said that without a solution and a tougher process, Schengen could be destroyed.
The need to tighten up the asylum process has been agreed by EU member states. Migrants will face a tougher asylum test. If they refuse, they will be sent back to their home countries.
"This is a historic success — for the European Union, for a new, solidarity-based migration policy and for the protection of human rights", — said Federal Minister of the Interior and Homeland Nancy Faeser.
Resettlers must stay at the border in a special camp for 12 weeks before being granted refugee status. During this time, their documents are thoroughly checked. At the end of the process, a decision is made as to whether the person has a chance of being granted asylum. They will be immediately deported to their own country if the answer is no. The countries most affected by illegal immigration have been particularly in favour of this measure: Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. It was also supported by Poland, Hungary and Austria.
In addition, countries that do not want to take in refugees will have to contribute up to 20,000 euros ($21,000) per migrant to a Brussels-administered fund to support those seeking protection, said The Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Unity for all and everywhere is the basic principle advocated by the states. However, as Minister Asselborn stressed, it is simply not humane to detain families with minor children or children without parents at the border.
He is supported by Germany, Ireland and Portugal. A press release published on the government's website states that there will be no additional rules and procedures for such families.
Asselborn said such an agreement was an important step in resolving the process, as most countries would simply close their borders to refugees. Finding a compromise was extremely difficult, he said. It could take years to resolve the issue.
