VIDEO ⟩ Demands mandatory solidarity of European Union countries in accepting refugees; Latvian politicians have sharply different opinions

The supported plan means uniform rules for asylum application procedures, checks at the border, faster protection for those granted asylum, faster return if asylum is not granted, greater protection for minors and families with children throughout the European Union.

The principle of mandatory solidarity is criticized again, for example, by Poland, which does not like the requirement that countries that do not want to accept asylum seekers and equalize the burden with other member states will have to pay for it, including money in a special fund.

In Latvia, the currently opposition National Union believes similarly. It recognizes the EU’s efforts to limit migration as good, but not the principle of solidarity.

Latvia’s fee for asylum seekers that we would refuse to accept would be relatively small – a one-time payment of 2 million euros.

Latvia will rather benefit from the new system – this is the position of the government expressed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rihards Kozlovskis (“New Unity”).

What should Latvia do, whether it is better to pay or still accept asylum seekers – the final decision will have to be taken by the Saeima. It is expected that the new system could be implemented in the European Union in about two years.

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