Meeting of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Danish draft law on asylum seekers in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Kristian JENSEN, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Inger STOJBERG, Danish Minister for Immigration, Integration and Housing, Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Marek JUREK (ECR, PL) and Sophia IN'T VELD (ALDE, NL)

Brussels

exchange of views

meeting

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

SIPPEL, Birgit (S&D, DE)

JUREK, Marek (ECR, PL)

IN 'T VELD, Sophia (Renew, NL)

EU - Denmark (T)

JENSEN, Kirsten M. (PSE, DK)

Danish draft law on asylum seekers: extracts from the exchange of views in the presence of Danish authorities

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/20485077/I115370Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Kristian JENSEN, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, "Denmark is and has always been a champion of European values on human rights. We have actively been seeking European solutions to refugee and migration crisis."

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Inger ST&#216;JBERG, Danish Minister for Immigration, Integration and Housing , "Many asylum seekers only bring very few items and a little bit of cash. They will be allowed to hold on on that of course. We also think that it is fair and reasonable that those asylum seekers who do bring enough assets with them should cover the costs of their food and logging during the asylum process themselves."

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Inger ST&#216;JBERG, Danish Minister for Immigration, Integration and Housing , "I would like to go to the new proposal. The government has proposed to delay family reunification for those who have temporary protection further. In general terms, they will not be possibilities for family reunification in the first three years. Family reunifications in all situations which means that Denmark international commitments concerned will continue to apply. That means that the Danish authorities will carry out a case by case examination in line with Denmark international commitments."

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), "The Danish welfare State as we understand it is based on the principle that those who do not have the financial means to take care of themselves will receive support from the society and the authorities. However, those who do have the means should be able to take care of themselves."

SOUNDBITE (German), Birgit SIPPEL, (S&amp;D, DE), "The last question I would like to ask is on the family reunification. I can see that less than half of the Member States are taking on responsibility and this will cause certain problems. On the other hand, three years without your family is difficult and could actually humper integration."

SOUNDBITE (Polish), Marek JUREK (ECR, PL), "How many people enter Denmark during the recent years? I do not know which time range do you have information of, last 10 years, last 20 years or last 15 years. That is my first question. Secondly, during that period of time, how many of them became Danish citizens?"

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN&apos;T VELD (ALDE, NL), "How do you actually define sentimental value? If somebody travels thousands of miles risking their lives and probably carrying a small bag, is not every object that they are carrying on that of great personal value."

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN&apos;T VELD (ALDE, NL), "The comparison with the Danish citizens I do not understand, because Danish citizens they might have other objects of less personal value that they can render and they have the right to work. These people cannot provide for themselves in another way. Finally, what is the Danish government doing to push for a true Common European Policy to void this race to the bottom between national governments of many Member States are pacing each other in harshness."

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Kristian JENSEN, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, "We have given an extra contribution of &euro;100 million last year to support the approach to stop migration. From 2010 to 2015 we have given a total of &euro;1,5 billion in humanitarian aid. The budget for next year is &euro;245 million in humanitarian aid from Denmark that is the highest level ever."

SOUNDBITE (Danish), Inger ST&#216;JBERG, Danish Minister for Immigration, Integration and Housing , "Regarding how we define sentimental value, is the own explanation by the asylum seeker that we base ourselves on. If you say that this clock or, a watch or, a ring has a sentimental value, that is what we base ourselves on. At the end of the day, it would be possible for a court to exam it."