Pedro Sanchez. The migration pact faster
“We are going to demand a policy of co-responsibility and solidarity in Brussels, by demanding that all of Europe becomes effectively involved in the management of the migratory flows that the Mediterranean countries receive,” declared the socialist leader during a speech in Parliament.
“To this end, we will ask the European Commission to bring forward the entry into force of the Pact on Migration and Asylum” so that its provisions “on border control and the distribution of migrants begin to be implemented implemented in the summer of 2025 and not in the summer of 2026,” he added.
The 27 member states of the European Union adopted a vast reform in mid-May which tightens immigration control and is scheduled to come into force in mid-2026.
This migration pact plans to strengthen border arrival controls with procedures intended to facilitate the return of migrants whose right to asylum has been rejected. It also sets up a system of solidarity between Member States in the care of asylum seekers.
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The 27 countries of the European Union must prepare their plans for implementing the pact by December.
Pedro Sánchez’s request comes as Spanish authorities have been facing for months an increase in arrivals of illegal migrants to the Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa, where migratory tragedies are increasing.
Over the first nine months of 2023, 30,808 migrants – including 12% minors – landed in the archipelago, double the figure for the same period last year, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
Faced with these arrivals, the Canary Islands authorities – who are currently caring for nearly 5,500 minors for a capacity of 2,000 places – say they are overwhelmed and are calling for more solidarity between Spanish regions.
With AFP
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