Prime Minister Mark Rutte will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in The Hague today. Discussions include Ukraine and migration ahead of next week’s European summit on 9 and 10 February. “Both France and the Netherlands want to make better deals with neighboring countries on migration,” says VVD MP Ruben Brekelmans.
According to Brekelmans, the two heads of state will discuss two issues on the migration dossier: how people who are here and who are not allowed to stay here can be more easily sent back and how better deals can be made with countries across Europe. Brekelmans cites the example of Turkey, which signed an agreement a few years ago to prevent Syrian refugees from coming to Europe. “Both France and the Netherlands would like to make far more agreements with neighboring countries.”
External borders
And that means a shift of attention to Europe’s external borders. ‘Most people who come from another country to Europe at that time are from a safe country, they might as well be welcomed there. You actually want that journey across the Mediterranean Sea, which often leads to humanitarian drama, you want to give people a reason not to take that journey.’
According to the deputy, this can be done by entering into agreements with non-European countries. Obviously in exchange for something in return. “What resources do you use to reward countries, or how do you pressure them if they don’t cooperate?” According to Brekelmans, European ministers discussed last week that this will not only happen with the issuance of visas, but also that trade benefits and development cooperation are possible.
Brekelmans is not against the French proposal to shorten the asylum procedure. “Personally, I think it’s a good plan.”
Source: BNR
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