The European Parliament today overwhelmingly approved a report co-authored by MEP Roberta Metsola on an all-encompassing approach to migration.
The report, which calls for the abolition of the “country of first entry” principle, was approved by 459 votes in favour, 206 against and 52 abstentions.
Addressing the plenary session in Strasbourg this morning, Dr Metsola said Europe needed to shift its thinking on migration: “No more emergency solutions to emergency situations. There is no quick fix to migration, there is no magical silver bullet.”
Dr Metsola said the departing point of the report was that solidarity had to be the principle upon which any action on migration was based.
“We draw differences between those in need of protection and those who come to Europe for work. Because we understand that while people fleeing war and persecution have a right to protection, it is true that this does not equate to an inalienable right to migration. So we highlight that when it comes to labour migration for example, it must be the Member States who have control over their labour markets and that they and the Union must see how best to fill any possible gaps in the market,” Dr Metsola underlined.
She added that “Of course not everyone in Europe is eligible for protection, and the return of those who are not eligible must be carried out. Only 36 per cent of those who were ordered to leave the Union were actually returned in 2014, so there is a clear need to improve the effectiveness of this system.”
On security, Dr Metsola said: “We cannot bury our heads in the sand. Security fears do exist among our citizens and states must fulfil their obligations at the external borders if these fears are to be in any way allayed. The abolition of internal border controls in Schengen has to go hand in hand with strengthening external borders.”
The report calls for a new approach to integration, with the European Parliament calling for a two-way process, and as Dr Metsola explained, “yes, everyone’s rights must be protected and yes, we must do more to keep families together – it is also fair to expect people to respect the values upon which our Union is founded”..