“The interior ministers of the European Union countries have agreed on the so-called a migration pact with, for example, mandatory relocation of migrants or fines (22,000 euros per migrant) for countries that do not want to accept foreign arrivals, PiS member of the European Parliament, former Prime Minister Beata Szydlo.
Poland’s Radio 24 reports that the decision was taken in Luxembourg by a majority vote of member states’ interior ministers after several hours of negotiations.
Poland and Hungary opposed, Bulgaria, Malta, Lithuania and Slovakia abstained
– we read in the information.
This message was also provided by Deputy Justice Minister Sebastian Kaleta. As he stressed, the EU Council has adopted the so-called migration pact “for lack of acceptance by Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta, on the basis of which Poland would pay €22,000 for not accepting an illegal migrant living in another EU country resides”.
Negotiations will now take place between the EP and the Council, which are likely to end with the confirmation of today’s Council decision
– added.
The “migration pact” addresses a number of issues that are critical to the security and finances of individual Member States. Such important decisions were always taken at the European Council by the heads of government – with the possibility of a veto. Meanwhile, the “migration pact” in its entirety has now passed outside the European Council and has been adopted at a meeting of ministers, where there is no right of veto, and the so-called decision has been taken. qualified majority. Poland opposes this way of dealing with European Union decisions, as adopting such a way would practically eliminate the right of veto
– explained Beata Szydło.
More than 12.5 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed the Polish border since the start of the war. They found a roof over their heads in Poland, safety and peace. The EU “offered” us 45 €/person. Today the EU wants to “enrich” us with ~2000 migrants or we have to pay a fine of 40 million euros. Spot!
– also commented Bogdan Rzońca, MEP from PiS.
Forced displacement of migrants or fines!
In May, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, presented the ambassadors of the member states with a proposal to reform the asylum and migration system. This is a resumption of the discussion that started in 2015 with the migration crisis in the EU. At that time, some countries did not want to agree to the mandatory relocation of migrants. As a result, the EC initiated infringement procedures against these countries, including Poland.
Polish diplomatic sources reported that Commissioner Johansson’s proposal provided for the de facto introduction of a mechanism for the forced relocation of illegal migrants. As PAP has learned, the Polish side reported that the structure of the proposal does not provide alternative solidarity measures for relocation as it leads to the obligation of member states to pay 22,000. euros for not relocating one migrant, which is a de facto fine.
The EC, in turn, said it had proposed a “mandatory solidarity system” and that member states could “decide on solidarity measures”. “This may involve relocation, financial and operational support. It is important that Member States that need support receive it.
An asylum system that forces migrants to be accepted and imposes heavy penalties for refusal has nothing to do with solidarity; there is no solidarity without unanimity, Deputy Minister of the Interior and Administration Bartosz Grodecki told reporters in Luxembourg on Thursday, summarizing the debate over the reform of the European Union’s asylum system.
READ ALSO:
— Deputy Chief of the Ministry of Interior and Administration: We cannot explain to the society that accepted war refugees that they now have to pay
— Marzena Nykiel: 22 thousand. euros per non-accepted migrant? The EC wants to punish Poland again, which has taken in millions of refugees from Ukraine
– ONLY HERE. Tarczyński: We don’t accept immigrants. No EC sanctions, nothing moves us. Safety comes first
olk/Twitter/PR24/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.