EU leaders fail to reach migration deal
The informal meeting of the Council of the European Union was held in Granada, hosted by Spain, the country that holds the presidency of the union. The two main topics of the meeting were “the enlargement process” and the “immigration problem.” However, the text of the “Granada Declaration” prepared at the request of Spain does not mention the issue of immigration, nor does it include specific statements and a specific date on the accession process of the candidate countries to the EU.
Following the meeting, EU Council President Charles Michel, EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez held a press conference.
BUDGET PROBLEM
EU Council President Michel stated that enlargement and migration have already been discussed for a long time and said: “In this meeting we discussed what we can do together as EU countries in relation to enlargement, how we can act together or, what is a more difficult question: how can we create a budget. “There are commonalities and differences among members,” he said.
“WE HAVE TO HOLD MORE MEETINGS ON MIGRATION”
Michel noted that the question of how to build the future of the EU will be on the agenda quite frequently and said: “It is necessary to determine priorities regarding artificial intelligence, reducing foreign dependence on energy, digitalization and strengthening our basic economy . Another point is common defense, multilateralism and the immigration issue. “We need to hold more meetings with departure and transit countries on migration,” he said.
“WE NEED TO BE PRAGMATIC…”
Stating that some progress was made on the issue of migration during Spain’s presidency, the EU Council President said: “It is necessary to be pragmatic. We must work harder to protect the EU’s external borders, combat criminal organizations and strengthen the judicial and police systems. “We must control more and encourage legal routes to enter the EU,” he said.
“EU ENLARGEMENT IS NOT EASY”
After underlining that the enlargement of the EU “will not be easy”, Michel stated that there is no discrimination here, that the candidate countries should also prepare for the EU and that in the coming years organizational and financial issues will be more present in the agenda. day. period.
“SOME COUNTRIES WERE NOT WILLING”
Michel: “Everyone agrees on less fragility and less external dependence in macrostrategic debates in the EU. An enlargement date was never set for the candidate countries. It is more important not to focus on the story, but on the objectives. Some countries wanted a date set, but others were not willing. The important thing is to act responsibly. The steps taken in the expansion will be analyzed. “Everyone wants to build a safer, more stable, more protected and more progressive EU,” he said.
“THE NUMBERS HAVE RETURNED TO THE PREWAR THOSE”
EU Commission President Von der Leyen also cited the financial and military support provided to Ukraine by the EU and stated that energy dependence on Russia has decreased significantly and energy prices have reached levels before war.
“WE WANT 30 MEMBERS OR MORE”
On enlargement, he said: “We want to move towards an EU that has 30 or more members, but this does not happen automatically when you press the button. “Not only the candidate countries, but also we ourselves must do our homework,” he said.
“WE MUST INVEST IN THE COUNTRIES WHERE MIGRATION COMES FROM”
Assessing the latest situation in the Agreement on Migration and Asylum, which the EU has been discussing for a long time and which was especially opposed by Hungary and Poland, Von der Leyen continued as follows:
“We must invest in the countries where migration originates and transits. We must promote legal migration and the humanitarian corridor. We should decide who comes to Europe, not criminal organizations. We must strengthen Frontex and work more decisively with transit countries. We should also work with UNHCR for the return of irregular immigrants. The return of irregular immigrants is also of vital importance to defeat criminal organizations. We must manage migration well. “We want legal immigration, we do not want people who risk their lives to try to come here by handing over all their assets to criminal organizations.”
On the other hand, Von der Leyen pointed out that the EU has experience in enlargement and said: “Enlargement not only benefits the country that joins the EU, it is equally beneficial for the EU. This is our greatest strength. “We are the largest single market in the world,” he said.
Regarding the enlargement process, the president of the EU Commission also stated: “There is no coffee for everyone.” He made a comparison like this:
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said they had a “successful summit” in Granada and that the discussions that began there will mature even further when the presidency’s mandate passes to Belgium on January 1.
Sánchez pointed out that there are differences of opinion about whether the expansion will be at the same pace for everyone or in parts, and that it is necessary to implement institutional reforms. (AA)