Common migration policy and third countries

30.5.2015

Question for written answer E-008761-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ivan Jakovčić (ALDE)

The European Commission just presented a European Agenda on Migration, outlining an immediate response to the crisis situation in the Mediterranean and the steps to be taken to better manage all aspects of migration.

One of the priorities described is the activation of the emergency system to better distribute asylum-seekers in the EU. Whilst the countries with financial difficulties (Spain, Italy, Greece) are left to fend for themselves with rising numbers of migrants which they can neither support nor accommodate because of a lack of infrastructure, the proposed system would set maximum refugee limits for each country in the EU based on population, employment levels and other factors.

However, countries including Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Estonia have already rejected the plan, meaning it is unlikely to pass without major concessions.

In view of the establishment of a permanent system for relocation in emergency situations of mass influxes, and in order to distribute responsibility for providing international protection more equitably, could the Commission answer the following question:

Does the Commission intend to promote dialogue with EEA‐EFTA countries and candidate countries for accession to the EU aimed at some form of participation in the resettlement or relocation process?