Debate on Common European Asylum System reform, during the EP plenary session (09-12 May 2016) in Strasbourg. Statements by Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), Elly SCHLEIN (S&amp;D, IT), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), Cecilia WIKSTROM (ALDE, SE), Cornelia ERNST (GUE/NGL, DE), Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK) and Laura FERRARA (EFDD, IT).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

STEVENS, Helga (ECR, BE)

LAMBERT, Jean (Greens/EFA, UK)

WIKSTRÖM, Cecilia (ALDE, SE)

asylum procedures in the EU (T)

SCHLEIN, Elly (S&D, IT)

ERNST, Cornelia (The Left, DE)

FERRARA, Laura (NI, IT)

Common European Asylum System reform: extracts from the MEP's debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT), The Commission's idea for a corrective fairness mechanism is a good step in the right direction and will go some way in pushing forward a sustainable solution to disproportionate pressures faced at the external borders. However I think that the Commission's idea for member states to be able to pay their way out of the mechanism is provocative and it just shows just exactly how far away member states still are from real sharing of responsibility. I can perhaps sympathise with the thinking behind the idea but that some countries would be able to exonerate themselves from responsibility by payment is not in my view the best road towards effective solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Elly SCHLEIN (S&amp;D, IT), There was a clear message from this chamber: we needed to go beyond Dublin and not artificially prolongue its life. That overhaul was necessary but unfortunately it hasn't happened and we still have the country of first entry principle and the emergency logic. And when you have 6 out of 28 member states dealing with the approximately 80% of asylum claims, it's no longer an emergency, it has actually become a structural situation.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE), Relocation is the last step, first of all we need an appropriate border policy at an economic maximum, only then we can talk about distribution and integration. It's not enough leaving the tap open and just encouraging people to be more efficient.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&#214;M (ALDE, SE), The Dublin regulation is the cornerstone of the European asylum system and this is not the time for watered down deals. This is the time to once and for all GET IT RIGHT.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cecilia WIKSTR&Ouml;M (ALDE, SE), I do not accept the approach by the Commission with regards to the Dublin transfer of unaccompanied minors. We have clear jurisprudence from the European Court of Justice that is not in the best interest of children to be sent around Europe like ping-pong balls or suitcases.

SOUNDBITE (German), Cornelia ERNST (GUE/NGL, DE), If you can pay 250,000 euro to get off the hook and not accept a refugee as a member state this sound to me like a manoeuvre to disperse attention. We should firstly check whether member states are simply passing refugees off to third countries.

SOUNDBITE (English), Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK), I understand that many NGOs and experts have been in discussions with the Commission and have basically been told that they have to 'get real', that they need to understand what's happening on the ground. These people DO, and I think have we have a duty to listen to them: UNHCR, Charter of Fundamental Rights... and numerous others. We should be listening to these people.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Laura FERRARA (EFDD, IT), The fines (that member states have to pay when refusing to accept refugees) will end up to be paid by taxpayers; what about something that would be a true deterrent? What about suspension of voting rights for a country who refuses to cooperate and that violates article 80?