European Union

The Johnson government has failed entirely when it comes to Brexit and the coronavirus, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said during the party's virtual party conference, which ended on Tuesday. Starmer also took aim at the left-wing course of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn - under whom Labour had the worst election result since 1935. Will his moderate line put Labour back on the road to success?

Lukashenka has been sworn into office for a sixth term in an unannounced ceremony. The event was not broadcast live on television, as is usually the case, and the announcement that it had taken place only came afterwards. Was this confirmation of his status as a dictator alienated from his people or a clever move that prevented violent excesses?

The new Migration Pact is insufficient for the majority of EP groups. Some demand compulsory relocation of refugees; others want a firmer stance on irregular arrivals.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The new Migration Pact is insufficient for the majority of EP groups. Some demand compulsory relocation of refugees; others want a firmer stance on irregular arrivals.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The European Parliament is organising an Online Multilingualism Day to celebrate one of the EU’s core values that ensures Parliament is accessible and transparent.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The European Parliament is organising an Online Multilingualism Day to celebrate one of the EU’s core values that ensures Parliament is accessible and transparent.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Instead of coming up with a meaningful plan, the EU’s new migration pact explicitly doubles down on containment and border security and opens the door to increasingly more draconian tools of surveillance using new technologies, write Petra Molnar and Kena-Jade Pinto, who recently travelled to the Moria refugee camp in Lesvos.

The Chinese business community in Europe would like to see less 'red tape' and regulatory barriers for its firms on the bloc, but is also open to the idea of offering further opportunities for EU business in China, says Zhou Lihong.

Generalbundesanwalt beim Bundesgerichtshof (Principe de spécialité)
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
A measure involving deprivation of liberty taken against a person referred to in a first European Arrest Warrant (EAW) on the basis of a prior offence different from the one which justified his surrender under a second EAW is not contrary to EU law if that person’s departure from the Member State that issued the first EAW was voluntary

German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier became the country's second cabinet member to enter quarantine, writing that he would stay at home after coming into contact with the aide of another European Union minister who had tested positive.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about how the EU member states reacted to the European Commission's proposal for the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as other news from the Capitals.

© Adobe Stock

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament (or to the institution’s public portal) expressing their views on current issues and/or requesting action from the Parliament. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) looks into these issues and replies to the messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages from citizens calling upon the EU to evacuate all refugees and asylum seekers from the hotspots on the Aegean islands to safe locations with humane living conditions. Citizens also appeal to the EU to put the rights of refugees and asylum seekers at the core of the EU’s migration strategy, based on a system of quotas and a fair distribution of asylum seekers between the EU countries.

Citizens first began to write to the President on this subject in September 2020 following the devastating fires in the Moria refugee camp. President Sassoli reacted immediately, pointing out in his statements the need for a humane and effective migration policy. On 17 September 2020, the European Parliament held a debate on the need for an immediate and humanitarian EU response to the current situation in the refugee camp in Moria.

Please find below the main points of the reply sent to citizens who took the time to write to the President of the European Parliament on this matter (in English, Italian, German, Spanish and French).

Main points made in the reply in English

Following the fires in Moria camp, President Sassoli stated on 9 and 10 September 2020 that ‘the images from Moria are devastating. We have to mobilise to support the women, men and children who need a roof over their heads immediately’. He added that ‘we need strong and lasting solutions for a humane, effective migration policy’.

The European Parliament held a plenary debate on the situation in Moria on 17 September 2020. You can watch the recording online.

The European Commission has financed the emergency evacuation of 400 unaccompanied minors from the camp, as well as temporary shelter for 1 600 people on a ferry in Lesbos. EU countries have provided further assistance through the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

Concerning the EU’s asylum and migration policy, please note that as long ago as 2016, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration, in which saving lives is pointed out as a first priority.

The European Parliament and the other EU institutions, as well as EU countries, are intensifying efforts to establish an effective, humanitarian and safe European migration policy. By deploying different programmes, over 528 000 people have been rescued in the Mediterranean since 2015, and the EU has provided support to both Greece and Turkey to help them manage migratory pressures.

Nonetheless, certain proposed reforms of EU migration policy, such as on a permanent EU relocation mechanism, or on amending the 2013 Dublin Regulation, have been withdrawn due to lack of agreement amongst the governments of EU countries.

More information on EU asylum and migration policy can be found in a briefing on solidarity in EU asylum policy by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in an animated infographic on migration and asylum also by EPRS, and in European Parliament Fact Sheets.

Main points made in the reply in Italian

A seguito degli incendi nel campo di Moria, il 9 e il 10 settembre 2020 il Presidente Sassoli ha dichiarato che ‘le immagini che arrivano dal campo di Moria sono devastanti. Dobbiamo mobilitarci in sostegno di donne, uomini e bambini che necessitano di un tetto, immediatamente’. Ha inoltre aggiunto che ‘abbiamo bisogno di soluzioni forti e durature per una politica migratoria umana ed efficace’.

Il 17 settembre 2020 il Parlamento ha tenuto una discussione in Aula sulla situazione a Moria. La registrazione del dibattito è disponibile on line.

La Commissione europea ha finanziato l’evacuazione di emergenza di 400 minori non accompagnati dal campo, nonché alloggi temporanei su un traghetto a Lesbo per 1 600 persone. I paesi dell’UE hanno fornito ulteriore assistenza attraverso il meccanismo di protezione civile dell’UE.

Per ciò che riguarda la politica dell’UE in materia di asilo e migrazione, richiamiamo l’attenzione sul fatto che già nel 2016 il Parlamento europeo aveva approvato una risoluzione sulla situazione nel Mediterraneo e la necessità di un approccio globale dell’UE alla migrazione, in cui si sottolinea come salvare vite umane sia la priorità assoluta.

Il Parlamento europeo e le altre istituzioni dell’UE, così come i paesi dell’UE, stanno intensificando gli sforzi per istituire una politica migratoria europea efficace, umanitaria e sicura. Mediante l’attuazione di diversi programmi, dal 2015 sono state salvate nel Mediterraneo oltre 528 000 persone e l’UE ha fornito sostegno sia alla Grecia che alla Turchia per aiutarle a gestire le pressioni migratorie.

Tuttavia, alcune proposte di riforma della politica migratoria dell’UE, quali un meccanismo permanente di ricollocazione dell’UE o la modifica del regolamento Dublino del 2013, sono state ritirate a causa della mancanza di accordo tra i governi dei paesi dell’UE.

Maggiori informazioni sulla politica dell’UE in materia di asilo e migrazione sono disponibili in un briefing sul tema della solidarietà nel quadro della politica di asilo dell’UE a cura del Servizio Ricerca del Parlamento europeo (EPRS), in un ‘infografica animata sulla migrazione e l’asilo, anch’essa a cura dell’EPRS, e nelle note sintetiche del Parlamento europeo.

Main points made in the reply in German

Zu dem Brand im Lager Moria erklärte Parlamentspräsident Sassoli am 9. September 2020: „Die Bilder aus Moria sind niederschmetternd. Wir müssen handeln und den Frauen, Männern und Kindern helfen, die schleunigst ein Dach über dem Kopf brauchen.“ Am 10. September fügte er hinzu: „Wir brauchen solide und dauerhafte Lösungen für eine humane und wirksame Migrationspolitik.“

Zur Lage in Moria gab es am 17. September 2020 auch eine Debatte im Rahmen der Plenartagung des Europäischen Parlaments. Die Aufzeichnung dieser Debatte ist online abrufbar.

Die Europäische Kommission hat eine Noträumung finanziert, um 400 unbegleitete Minderjährige aus dem Lager zu bringen, und dafür gesorgt, dass 1 600 Menschen vorübergehend auf einer Fähre unterkommen, die im Hafen von Lesbos vor Anker liegt. Auch die EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben im Rahmen des Katastrophenschutzverfahrens der Union Hilfe geleistet.

Mit Blick auf die Asyl- und Migrationspolitik der EU hat das Europäische Parlament bereits 2016 eine Entschließung zur Lage im Mittelmeerraum und zur Notwendigkeit eines ganzheitlichen Migrationskonzepts der EU angenommen. Darin betont es, dass die Rettung von Menschenleben absoluten Vorrang haben muss.

Das Europäische Parlament, die sonstigen Organe und Einrichtungen der EU und die Mitgliedstaaten bemühen sich verstärkt um eine wirksame, humanitäre und sichere europäische Migrationspolitik. Mithilfe verschiedener Programme konnten seit 2015 über 528 000 Menschen aus dem Mittelmeer gerettet werden. Außerdem unterstützt die EU sowohl Griechenland als auch die Türkei bei der Bewältigung des Migrationsdrucks.

Einige Vorschläge zur Reform der Migrationspolitik der EU – etwa eine dauerhafte Umsiedlungsregelung der EU oder eine Änderung der Dublin-Verordnung von 2013 – wurden jedoch zurückgezogen, weil die Regierungen der EU-Mitgliedstaaten auf keinen gemeinsamen Nenner kamen.

Weitere Informationen über die Asyl- und Migrationspolitik der EU finden Sie im Briefing zur Solidarität in der EU-Asylpolitik des Wissenschaftlichen Dienstes des Europäischen Parlaments (EPRS), in der animierten Infografik zu Migration und Asyl des EPRS und in den Kurzdarstellungen des Europäischen Parlaments.

Main points made in the reply in Spanish

Tras los incendios del campo de Moria, el presidente Sassoli declaró los días 9 y 10 de septiembre de 2020 que «las imágenes de Moria son desoladoras. Tenemos que movilizarnos para prestar ayuda a las mujeres, los hombres y los niños que necesitan inmediatamente un techo bajo el que refugiarse». Añadió que «necesitamos soluciones firmes y duraderas para una política migratoria humanitaria y eficaz».

El Parlamento Europeo mantuvo un debate en el Pleno sobre la situación en Moria el 17 de septiembre de 2020. Puede usted consultar la grabación en línea.

La Comisión Europea ha financiado la evacuación de emergencia del campo de 400 menores no acompañados, así como un refugio temporal para 1 600 personas en un transbordador en Lesbos. Los países de la UE han proporcionado más ayuda a través del Mecanismo de Protección Civil de la UE.

En cuanto a la política de la Unión en materia de asilo y migración, cabe señalar que, ya en 2016, el Parlamento Europeo aprobó una Resolución sobre la situación en el mar Mediterráneo y la necesidad de un enfoque integral de la Unión sobre la migración, en la que se señala como primera prioridad el salvamento de vidas.

El Parlamento Europeo y las demás instituciones de la Unión, al igual que los Estados miembros, están intensificando sus esfuerzos para establecer una política europea de migración eficaz, humanitaria y segura. Con el despliegue de diferentes programas, más de 528 000 personas han sido rescatadas en el Mediterráneo desde 2015, y la UE ha prestado apoyo a Grecia y también a Turquía para ayudarles a gestionar las presiones migratorias.

Sin embargo, determinadas propuestas de reforma de la política de migración de la Unión, como la relativa a un mecanismo permanente de reubicación de la Unión o la modificación del Reglamento de Dublín de 2013 han sido retiradas debido a la falta de acuerdo entre los Gobiernos de los Estados miembros de la Unión.

Puede encontrarse más información sobre la política de asilo y migración de la UE en un briefing sobre la solidaridad en la política de asilo de la Unión, del Servicio de Estudios del Parlamento Europeo (EPRS), en una infografía animada sobre migración y asilo, también del EPRS y en las fichas temáticas del Parlamento Europeo.

Main points made in the reply in French

À la suite des feux survenus au camp de Moria, le président Sassoli a déclaré les 9 et 10 septembre 2020 que «les images du camp de Moria [étaient] bouleversantes» et que «nous [devions] immédiatement nous mobiliser et venir en aide aux femmes, hommes et enfants qui ont besoin d’un toit au-dessus de leur tête». Il a ajouté que «nous [avions] besoin de solutions solides et durables pour une politique migratoire humaine et efficace».

Le Parlement européen a tenu un débat en plénière sur la situation à Moria le 17 septembre 2020. L’enregistrement est disponible en ligne.

La Commission européenne a financé l’évacuation d’urgence de 400 mineurs non accompagnés du camp, ainsi que l’hébergement temporaire de 1 600 personnes sur un ferry à Lesbos. Les États membres ont fourni une aide supplémentaire par l’intermédiaire du mécanisme de protection civile de l’Union.

En ce qui concerne la politique de l’Union en matière d’asile et de migration, veuillez noter que le Parlement européen a adopté, dès 2016, une résolution sur la situation en Méditerranée et sur la nécessité d’une approche globale des migrations de la part de l’Union européenne, dans laquelle il est souligné que le sauvetage des vies doit être une priorité absolue.

Le Parlement européen, les autres institutions européennes, ainsi que les États membres redoublent d’efforts pour élaborer une politique migratoire européenne efficace, humaine et sûre. Plus de 528 000 personnes ont été secourues en Méditerranée depuis 2015 grâce à différents programmes. L’Union a également apporté son soutien à la Grèce et à la Turquie dans la gestion des pressions migratoires.

Néanmoins, certaines propositions de réforme de la politique migratoire de l’Union, telles qu’un mécanisme permanent de répartition au niveau de l’Union européenne, ou la modification du règlement de Dublin de 2013, ont été retirées en raison de l’absence d’accord entre les gouvernements des États membres.

De plus amples informations sur la politique européenne en matière d’asile et de migration sont disponibles dans une note d’information sur la solidarité dans la politique d’asile de l’Union et dans une infographie animée sur la migration et l’asile du service de recherche du Parlement européen, ainsi que dans les fiches thématiques du Parlement européen.

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