EU leaders disagree with calls by Hungary and Poland for a European approach to asylum. Both countries demand that from now on all 27 member states accept the proposals on the reception, distribution and return of asylum seekers. This has gone too far for EU leaders. Under EU rules, unanimity is not required on topics like this.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte calls the Polish and Hungarian resistance “strange” and “childish”. “It’s a bit like throwing your toys out of the box because you’re angry,” he said after the EU summit. EU leaders have parted ways with no common conclusions, where they usually find a compromise.
Poland and Hungary furious
Poland and Hungary are furious because other EU countries want to pass agreements on the reception and distribution of migrants. ‘So terribly angry’ that they are blocking an EU joint statement on reducing the arrival of unwanted migrants. Although I actually agree with this, Rutte says. “Strange, actually.”
“But that’s okay, it’s allowed”, Rutte shrugs. He expects the grumpiness of the two countries will not hinder the implementation of the agreements. And they aren’t concerned with thwarting inflow-reduction deals when it comes to doing so, he believes.
“They didn’t throw the cake against the wall, they just didn’t eat it. But we could just eat it,” Rutte said.
Migration pact
The result of the clash between Hungary and Poland and the other 25 member states is that no ‘conclusions’ on migration and asylum have been adopted; a kind of joint final statement after an EU summit. In practical terms, this has no consequences for the pact on migration recently agreed by the European Commission, several leaders stressed.
An agreement on that migration pact was reached in early June. After years of discussions, agreements were reached on asylum procedures and on the reception and distribution of asylum seekers throughout Europe. Only Poland and Hungary voted against. Lithuania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Malta abstained.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
