10
Apr
2024
Watch
Screening of third country nationals at the external borders - European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals - Common procedure for international protection in the Union - Establishing a return border procedure, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 - Asylum and migration management - Addressing situations of crisis and force majeure - Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013, for identifying an illegally staying third-country national or stateless person and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States' law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes (recast) - Union Resettlement Framework - Standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection - Standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast) (joint debate - Migration and Asylum package)
Madam President, Commissioner, I think it is clear for everyone that is watching what is happening on the ground today, and they understand that we need to have a new European migration policy. We have horrific numbers of people dying in the Mediterranean Sea. We still see that the majority of people coming to Europe are irregular migrants. We see that we have a lack of trust between Member States, and we also see that we have a lack of trust also from citizens towards governments, towards European politicians. Now, finally, we have something on the table. We have something that is truly negotiated, and we have an opportunity now to find a constructive majority in this House to vote in favour of this migration pact. For years, this House has criticised the Council for not making up their mind, for not being ready to negotiate. Now, finally, we have the Council ready to adopt this and move forward towards a true European migration policy. Should it then be this House who rejects it? Who shows that we are not mature enough to take decisions that would actually mean that we will stick to our European values? Yes, we will have a more controlled migration policy than we have today, but we will also make a choice that we will prioritise the people in need of protection and we will decrease irregular migration. Finally, we will also open up to cooperate more within the Union and together with countries outside of Europe. This is the right path forward and I do hope, colleagues, you will please be responsible today. Please vote in favour of the Migration Pact.