Thursday, November 17, 2022

EU countries have relocated just 117 asylum seekers out of 8,000 pledges

The European Union-wide relocation system was introduced in June, but despite the total of 8,000 pledges, EU countries have relocated only 117 asylum seekers up to this point.

November 16, 2022
© diema | Pixabay

“We’re working very closely with all member states to ensure that we have in place a common solution. I know this number doesn’t seem like a lot but we need to keep in mind that we have 8,000 pledges as such,” a European Commission spokesperson pointed out in this regard, according to Euronews report.

The same reveals that relations between France and Italy have worsened due to the disembarkation of the Ocean Viking, a ship that authorities in Rome did not allow to disembark despite its obligation under international law, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Italy’s actions have been considered inhumane and incomprehensible by the French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin who stressed that the vessel was in Italian waters and thus was required to disembark somewhere in Italy.

At the same time, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, pointed out that she was struck by the aggressive reaction from France’s capital which she deemed incomprehensible.

French Interior Minister, GĂ©rald Darmanin, soon after the Ocean Viking incident, pointed out that nine European countries had committed to hosting about two-thirds of the migrants rescued with the remaining third staying in France.

“France introduced a call of solidarity to EU Member States and others have responded positively. This is working. And we will ensure that we put all efforts into the voluntary solidarity mechanism,” a Commission spokesperson pointed out in this regard.

Italy and France are continuously receiving a large number of asylum seekers. According to the figures provided previously by the General Directorate for Immigration and Integration Policies of Italy, on June 30, 2020, there were registered a total of 15,959 unaccompanied minors in this country, which means a 99.9 per cent increase.

The notable increase in the number of unaccompanied minors was mainly a result of the war in Ukraine, according to local media reports.

At the same time, in August this year, France welcomed the first group of asylum seekers following the European Union’s Migration Mechanism.

Back then, it was reported that 38 asylum seekers who were going from Italy to France became the first group relocated, following the EU’s voluntary solidarity mechanism. Based on the EU’s mechanism, Italy and France are among the European countries that have agreed to take in migrants as well as refugees from other countries who are dealing with an increased number of arrivals.

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