‘Unacceptable’: EU promises to punish countries that do not cooperate due to migration

The EU has threatened to crack down on countries that do not cooperate in migration.

European interior ministers said on Thursday they want states to accept more deportations of people from the bloc to their countries of origin, if necessary by limiting the number of visas issued to “non-cooperative” countries.

EU ministers described the situation around migration as “tense”, with arrivals increasing, though critics say the number – which is much smaller than during the 2015 crisis – is manageable for a prosperous region.

“We are seeing an increase in irregular arrivals… Returning those who have been denied asylum to Europe is a very important issue,” said Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden’s Migration Minister.

In 2021, European countries will have made 340,500 decisions to send people back to their country of origin. According to Eurostat data quoted by the Commission, 21% of these have actually been implemented.

People are legally allowed to challenge returns and appeal negative decisions for international protection.

“The current level is not acceptable,” Stenergard said after the meeting.

She said there was “strong support” among EU member states for using visas as a tool to get countries to accept more of their nationals.

“As the political and diplomatic efforts [to improve cooperation with third countries] do not deliver the expected results, Member States are calling on the Commission to come forward with proposals on visa restrictions,” explains Stenergard.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also insisted on Thursday on the need to “intensify” returns.

She proposed a “pilot project” in the first half of this year to speed up screening procedures at the EU’s external borders, with “immediate return” for those who do not qualify for asylum.

Critics argue that rapid screening of asylum seekers at EU borders could lack proper checks and balances, and lead to people being denied protection when they need it.

Von der Leyen wanted the EU to agree on a list of countries of origin considered “safe”.

To “prevent departure” and “improve return”, Brussels also wants to conclude agreements with countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria.

After years of pandemic-related restrictions on movement, the number of migrants entering the EU is starting to rise again.

The 330,000 “illegal entries” recorded in 2022 is the highest level since 2016, according to Frontex, an EU border agency.

The food crisis created this summer by Russia’s illegal grain blockade of Black Sea ports has exacerbated the already pressing problems of many developing countries.