vote today. What can change for Italy? – Corriere.it

FROM OUR LUXEMBOURG REPORTER

Whether today will be a historic day we will find out in the next few hours, it all depends on how the negotiations go between the interior ministers of the 27 EU countries, meeting in Luxembourg for the internal affairs council which has the new migration pact on its agenda and asylum, which modifies the Dublin Regulation (there are two regulations on the table) and introduces compulsory but flexible solidarity (relocations will not be compulsory, it will be possible to opt for financial support). The EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will also illustrate the financial aid package for Tunisia, because in recent months it has become clear that the internal dimension must be associated with the external dimension of migration. The EU countries have been trying to find an agreement for years but without success. This time however, if we go to vote, it will be by qualified majority and not unanimity: no country will be able to veto.

The war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine the attitude towards the migratory phenomenon has changed, which is increasingly assuming geopolitical connotations, and now all countries have an interest in finding a European solution. It is clear by now that no one can do it alone. Furthermore, the strengthening of the EU’s external borders and security are perceived as a priority. There is a change of pace also with regard to third countries and the willingness to use all EU policies (by leveraging the economic potential of the Union and visa policy) to increase collaboration with recipient countries of repatriations, which at the moment are not they are particularly committed.

The problem always the same: finding the right balance between the responsibility of countries of first entry such as Italy (identification, registration and initial reception of migrants), and the solidarity that recipient countries of secondary movements must show (the phenomenon whereby a migrant arrives in one State but then applies for asylum in another, moving within the EU) through relocation or financial aid.

There is a 50% chance of success, a European diplomatic source explained on Wednesday, on the eve of the meeting: Obviously don’t expect a white smoke at 10 – he said – it will certainly take some time, but there are chances to succeed. A widespread caution among the Member States even if Commissioner Johansson showed optimism last Monday. If the Council finds the square, then it will be able to start negotiations with the EU Parliament. The decision will be taken by a qualified majority: at least 15 countries representing 65% of the EU population. likely that Poland and Hungary will vote no. Italy has not yet lifted the reservation on how to vote if we go to the polls, just as many other countries have not lifted it. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi explained on Wednesday in an interview with Il Foglio that Italy wants to impose a necessary issue to be addressed at European level. a difficult topic but an urgent one: stop with the principle of voluntariness in redistribution and start creating the basis for thinking about the obligation of redistribution and he added that Italy, even with regard to migrants, needs more Europe, not less Europe. The Med5 — Italy, Greece, Spain, Malta and Cyprus — were not yet satisfied on the eve and so were the countries receiving secondary movements. However, one thing seems clear: even if qualified majority voting and a majority without Italy are possible, this solution is nevertheless undesirable for several EU countries, starting with Germany and France.

In the intentions of the Swedish presidency ministers should not discuss the details of the agreement but make a political synthesis and bridge the last gaps. The financial aid package for Tunisia, quite substantial according to a European diplomatic source, will also allow attention to be paid to the external dimension of migration, as Italy has been asking for some time with the Mattei plan for Africa. The Commission’s plan includes 900 million in macro-financial assistance linked to the outcome of the agreement between Tunis and the International Monetary Fund, plus other funds from various EU programs (migration policy, trade, energy, etc.).

The ministers will have to find an agreement on the two regulations reforming asylum procedures and the management of migration and asylum. The new rules should introduce enhanced screening of third-country nationals at EU borders. And people who do not meet a member state’s entry conditions will be subject to identification, fingerprinting, security checks and preliminary health and vulnerability assessments. The text is not yet final. The concept of adequate capacity to manage border procedures is introduced, which provides for a ceiling of 30,000 people with a multiplier of four, up to a maximum of 120,000 asylum seekers a year throughout the EU (the numbers are still subject to negotiation). The financial contribution per migrant paid by the country that does not accept the relocation would drop to 20,000 euros compared to the initial 22,000 for a total of 600,000 (20,000 x 30,000). But there are countries totally opposed to any figure. In the event of excessive flows, it is envisaged that the Member State may suspend border procedures by notifying the Commission (the role of the Community executive is still being negotiated). The responsibility of the country of first entry for an irregular migrant lengthens and passes from the current 12 months to 2 years (the time it can take for a country to send an irregular migrant back to the country of first entry). The legal text never mentions detention at the borders or detention camps, but in fact asylum seekers will not be able to enter the EU until the file has been processed and it will be at the discretion of the Member State to choose how to proceed. Germany would like families with children to be exempt from the border procedure but has only Luxembourg, Portugal and Ireland on its side.

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