JHA Council Look to Reform European Asylum System and Implement EU-Turkey Conclusions

The Migration section of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council held in Luxembourg on Thursday 21 April 2016 has moved towards establishing guidelines for the drafting of a future legislative proposal to reform the existing European asylum system.

The discussions, attended by Luxembourg Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Asylum, Jean Asselborn, followed a presentation by the Commission on its communication "Towards a Reform of the Common European Asylum System and Improved Legal Entry Routes in Europe". The ministers held a detailed exchange of views on all aspects covered in this communication, with Minister Asselborn stating "Our citizens expect responses from the Union, both legal and practical".

The ministers then discussed the implementation of the European Council's conclusions from March and the EU-Turkey statement. During the debate, aspects of the statement such as the implementation on the ground in Greece, returns to Turkey and resettlement arrangements for Syrian refugees from Turkey, were discussed. Luxembourg's Minister emphasised the human dimension by advoating for the greater involvement of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Council also analysed the progress of work on the proposal for a European Border Guard for which it adopted its position on 6 April 2016. The agency would take on enhanced tasks to those currently managed by Frontex, focusing on the establishment of an operational strategy for the integrated management of European borders.

At the meeting earlier this month, Klaas Dijkhoff, Dutch Minister for Migration and President of the Council, cited the European Border Guard as a "useful and necessary means to improve the controls at our common external borders" stating: "We need effective border controls to better manage migration flows and improve the security for our citizens. I'm pleased that the urgency of this measure has been recognised and that we have been able to come to a timely agreement."

Photo by European Union (Jean Asselborn)