Brussels proposes to speed up returns and strengthen Frontex presence after tripling the number of entries
With the migration crisis still emerging in the Central Mediterranean, the European Union (EU) is now turning its sights to the Western Balkans. The number of entries via this route, one of the most dangerous en route to Europe, has tripled in the past year. And in the absence of a European migration pact that is not yet in place, Brussels proposed twenty emergency measures on Monday to cope with migratory pressure. The proposal is based on strengthening European borders – with the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) personnel in the region – and increased cooperation to speed up returns to countries of origin.
“Migration is a common challenge and we must face it together, without leaving any Member State alone, nor the allies of the Balkans,” Vice President of European Lifestyle Promotion Margaritis Schinas said Monday. The Community Executive has been working on migration management proposals for some time and has become a priority following the diplomatic crisis between France and Italy due to the landing of humanitarian ships, with more than 200 rescued people on board, in their ports. The Twenty-Seven will discuss these measures in the context of the Western Balkans Summit to be held in Tirana this Tuesday.
The dangers on the route through this region have increased in recent years. Migrants risk drowning and stepping on one of the thousands of land mines still in the area. In addition, the EU warns of the “increase in mafias violence and the use of firearms”.
Faced with this situation, Brussels is committed to strengthening border management. The bloc has already signed agreements with Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia, allowing Frontex to deploy troops in the region. Also “it is possible that Frontex support for member states on the external borders of the EU will be increased”, which bear a large part of this migratory pressure, he warns.
The European Commission is similarly proposing to improve the asylum capacity of its partners in the region. The aim would be none other than to strengthen their resources to ensure good attendance conditions, especially in the face of winter.
The fight against the mafia that smuggles migrants is another pillar of the European plan. To this end, the EU proposes to set up a Europol Task Force, with the participation of all Balkan countries, to carry out actions along the route. At the same time, it encourages the conclusion of agreements with the co-legislators to “punish carriers involved in migrant smuggling”.
The EU also wants to ease migratory pressure in the region by speeding up the deportations, via Frontex, of people who cannot benefit from European protection and reception regimes. It also warns the Balkan countries that “it is crucial” that they align their visa policies with those of the community bloc for the proper functioning of the visa-free regime.
Some of the measures proposed this Monday for the Balkans have already been mentioned in the Community action plan to tackle the crisis in the Central Mediterranean. On that occasion, Commissioner Schinas assured that the Migration Pact is “the best tool” to face future conflicts and encouraged to unblock it. “We cannot continue to work crisis by crisis, we need a comprehensive migration and asylum policy. It’s ironic that we have everything we need within our reach, but we can’t reach it. It’s like having a parachute and choosing to jump out of the plane without a parachute.”
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
