The EU must focus on increasing tangible solidarity among member states as some, including Malta, faced disproportionate pressures due to high numbers of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection, Home Affairs Minister Emmanuel Mallia said this evening.

The minister was speaking during a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Brussels.

The ministers discussed the establishment of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS), with the Irish Presidency briefing member states on the final steps being taken to complete the legislative framework.

The aim of the CEAS is to further harmonise national asylum legislation through five legislative instruments.

Dr Mallia stated that while the imminent conclusion of the CEAS package was an achievement for the EU, the union now had to focus on increasing tangible solidarity among members.

He said that the disproportionate pressures faced by some members could not be adequately tackled through ‘harmonised’ legislation alone.

Pointing out that the CEAS could only be a success if it properly addressed the realities on the ground, Dr Mallia emphasised that fair responsibility-sharing had to be at the very heart of the common system.

During the meeting, ministers were informed about the state of play on two legislative proposals making up the Schengen Governance package, namely a draft regulation establishing a mechanism to verify the correct application of the Schengen acquis by members and an amendment to the Schengen Borders Code.

An agreement on this package was reached between the council and the European Parliament and it is expected to be adopted by Parliament in July and by council in autumn.