EU Countries Consider Outsourcing Migrant Reception, Similar to Italy-Albania Agreement: Will It Work?

A group of EU member states, including the Netherlands, is working on a letter to the European Commission urging the reception of migrants trying to reach the EU in countries outside the EU. This is reported by several Czech newspapers that received the letter.

In the country outside the EU, the migrants would then have to wait to see if they will be granted asylum in the European Union. Asylum seekers who have exhausted all legal remedies could be taken there until they return.

Secretary of State Van der Burg from Asylum Affairs says that EU countries are looking for “additional solutions” to strengthen their grip on migration and therefore the countries must cooperate with each other.

“That is why I want countries to also look at solutions outside the box such as the agreements made by Italy with Albania,” said the Secretary of State. He emphasizes that solutions of this kind to be “always” in accordance with international and European law.

The idea, started by the Czech Republic and Denmark, is similar the agreement which Italy finished with Albania in November. In a country outside the EU Albania, some of the rescued boat migrants are staying at Italy’s expense while the Italian authorities process their asylum applications.

The letter to the European Commission calls for more partnerships with countries, using the Turkey deal as an example. Concrete plans have not yet been included in the letter, and no countries have been named to conclude contracts.

After the 2015 migration crisis, the EU made agreements for the first time on stopping migrants, at the time with Turkey. These were controversial at first, but since then agreements have been reached with Tunisia, Egypt and Lebanon, among others.

There is much criticism from human rights groups and support for the outsourcing of migration procedures. Amnesty International earlier this year called the agreement between Italy and Albania a “harmful system”.

“Instead of adding to people’s suffering, authorities should ensure that they have access to an effective asylum process, adequate shelter and safe, regular access,” said Amnesty. The European Commission has so far ruled that the agreement between Italy and Albania does not violate European regulations.