Press conference by Tomas TOBE (EPP, SV) , rapporteur on the Regulation on Asylum and Migration Management. The main objectives of the proposal aims at replacing the current Dublin Regulation and relaunches the reform of the Common European Asylum System.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

press conference

asylum procedures in the EU (T)

Asylum policy (T2)

TOBÉ, Tomas (EPP, SE)

Press conference by Tomas TOBE (EPP, SV) , rapporteur, on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation Thank you. I think it is clear that the European migration policy is not working. It is not working for the migrants. We see people dying in the Mediterranean Sea. We see reports of pushbacks. It is not working for the Member States. We see that there is a lack of solidarity between the Member States and there are very few Member States who actually are active in taking responsibility.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation I would also say that it's not working for the citizens of Europe. We can see a lack of trust in many countries that Europe is not delivering on migration. And I think it is important that we find a way forward. And it's very clear that we have had a political deadlock for a long time and we need now to find a way to move forward.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation And I think that we should do that in a spirit of mutual trust and also that we can provide an impactful solidarity and that this overall makes sure that we can break the deadlock, that we can come together in the European Parliament who always have stand ready to negotiate with the Member States, but that we now also can see some progress in the Council. The Commission's proposal was presented, as you know. And in my proposal, I make more than 160 changes and I will not go through them all at this press conference, of course.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute; Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation But I do think that there are some important points that I proposed and that I hope that I can get the support for. Firstly, I think there is a lack of prevention in the proposal from the Commission. I will present a new mechanism that is trying to focus more on prevention. I think it is clear that we do need to have strong tools when it comes to what we should do when we have people arriving to Europe. But we also need to make sure that we have an opportunity for Member States and especially the frontline Member States.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation It is clear for me that they can get through the monitoring. They see that they are in a risk of getting a very high pressure. With the new mechanism that I propose, I will give an opportunity for the Member States to say we are at risk of migratory pressure earlier and that will make sure that the Commission needs to act. I will also propose that the Commission will have to present a five year strategy on migration management.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation I think that is important. This is something that we should evaluate every year and they should also be reported to this house through the European Parliament. I also would like to strengthen the cooperation with third countries. I think it is clear that we need to have a strong solidarity to help the people that are in need of protection, like refugees.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation But we also know that the majority that arrive to Europe are not getting a positive decision. Many of them are economic migrants. We get a lot of return decision. Today about 30 percent do return. And this is also something that needs to change, and we need to make sure that we can do that in a spirit of cooperation with third countries outside of Europe. So prevention is my first key message, I would say in my proposal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation Secondly, and equally important is, of course, the question of solidarity. It is clear that for a long time, the European Parliament and many others have been asking for mandatory relocation as the main idea to solve the migration challenge. For me, it is clear that this is not the way forward. This will not break the political deadlock, and we need now to find another way so we can move forward because what we see now is that the Member States are going in their own direction. They are going away from a European solution.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation So we need to find a pragmatic approach to find something that could be acceptable for everyone. And for me, it is clear that if we move away from mandatory relocation, then we have to make sure that we have impactful solidarity for the frontline Member States. When it comes to solidarity measures that have been introduced by the Commission, they have introduced two separate solidarity measures. I want them combined in one.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation I want it to be clear that the Member States can come in much earlier than proposed by the Commission. I think it is easier if we don't wait too long before the Commission acts, and too long before we get voluntary relocation from other Member States. So I will have one strong solidarity measure, and yes, it will be based on voluntary relocation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation I will keep in the proposal that we also need return sponsorship. Since we know that returns are not working today we need to find a way to also have Member States contributing to returns being more effective and also we need more capacity building. But let me be very clear: capacity building and economic support cannot be an easy way out to opt out from the European migration policy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation We need to have it mandatory that every Member State have to contribute. It will differ in which way you do it, and capacity building will be important to make sure that this system works. So this what I say is the most important parts of my proposal.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation There are many more, of course, and I now look forward to going into the negotiations together with the political groups here in the European Parliament, going through all the amendments that I will get from my colleagues. And I'm quite sure that as the European Parliament, we will once again unite and be ready to negotiate. And with this proposal that I present today I do hope that we will finally also see some progress in the council because as I said in the beginning, the European migration policy is not working. Europe is not delivering. And now it's time to act.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&Eacute;, Rapporteur on Asylum and Migration Management Regulation I would like to ask any questions for the Rapporteur, we would also take questions from remote participants, so I see that Mr Nielsen Nikolaj has raised a hand. I will give you the floor, please press this big button and put the camera on. Thank you.

Question concerning the removal of the search and solidarity mechanism from the new Asylum and Migration Management Regulation

Follow up question regarding the support of Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Malta to the new Regulation

Question regarding how the new Regulation would help to break the current political deadlock. 