European Union member states have reached an agreement on new protocols for managing irregular immigration during periods of high arrivals. This development removes a significant hurdle towards a broader consensus on the EU’s asylum and migration policies by year-end. Representatives from all 27 EU nations finalized a deal on Wednesday regarding “crisis regulation,” enabling progress in further discussions and a push to formalize these alterations before the upcoming EU elections next year.
Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard remarked, “Now we can proceed with the negotiations. It is crucial to establish the pact to ensure order at the EU’s external borders and mitigate influxes.” The EU aims to enshrine these changes into law before the anticipated rightward shift in political support across the continent during the upcoming EU elections, as many parties have expressed opposition to immigration.
The assembly of 47 leaders, both from within and outside the EU, constitutes the European Political Community summit. This entity was established last year in response to Russia’s incursion into Ukraine. While its primary agenda centers around deliberations on the conflict, it also serves as a platform for leaders to engage in broader, less formal conversations.
Sunak’s Announcement
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to address European leaders at the European Political Community summit in Granada, Spain, emphasizing the need for unity in countering Russian threats and combating human trafficking. Alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Sunak will co-chair a meeting focused on “illegal migration and organized crime.”
Sunak highlighted the surge in illegal migration to mainland Europe, calling it the highest in nearly a decade. He expressed concern over the loss of lives at sea due to the actions of people smugglers, deeming the situation both immoral and unsustainable. Sunak stressed that criminal groups should not determine who gains access to Europe.
He stressed the need for collaborative, Europe-wide solutions to address these cross-border issues. According to Home Office data, over 25,000 individuals have been detected crossing the English Channel in small boats this year, a decrease from last year’s 45,774 arrivals. Sunak has made curbing these crossings a key focus for this year.
Mr. Sunak has prioritized halting these crossings as one of his main commitments this year. Last month, he engaged in discussions with the far-right leader Ms. Meloni at the G20 summit. They have formed a strong alliance, aligning on their stance to reduce irregular immigration in their respective countries.
Earlier this year, the UK Parliament passed the Illegal Migration Act after a prolonged debate between the House of Commons and House of Lords. This legislation aims to prevent individuals from seeking asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorized means. Additionally, the government anticipates that these changes will expedite the deportation of detained individuals, either back to their home country or to a third nation like Rwanda.
The government’s legal dispute over its deportation policy to Rwanda is scheduled for the Supreme Court in October. The Home Office is contesting the Court of Appeal’s June ruling, which deemed the multi-million-pound agreement, involving the deportation of asylum seekers to the East African nation, as unlawful.
