VP/HR — Support for States receiving refugees

30.4.2015

Question for written answer E-007070-15
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Nadine Morano (PPE)

The asylum systems of European countries are overwhelmed. This is particularly the case in France where the cost of granting asylum continues to increase and is currently EUR 2 billion per year. Moreover, deportation is effective for only 1% of rejected applicants. Ninety-nine per cent of them remain illegally in a precarious situation in France or in another country of the Schengen area, which means that virtually the entire asylum system is being diverted for the purpose of illegal immigration.

It seems preferable to opt for the establishment of secure reception camps for refugees under the aegis of the UN near their home countries rather than allowing them to risk their lives by a perilous crossing of the Mediterranean at the mercy of traffickers. This would enable them to return home more easily once their situation had stabilised.

Jordan and Lebanon, States of less than ten million inhabitants, have each received more than one million refugees, mainly from Syria. Their efforts deserve our support.

What practical measures does the High Representative envisage to support States bordering on the conflict areas which receive refugees?