At a time when Germany and France are strengthening border controls and Spain and Greece face problems with migration, the issue will dominate the European Council’s agenda. Zelensky takes the “plan” to Brussels.
The debate over migration in the European Union (EU) will dominate the agenda of this Thursday’s European Council, with leaders focused on combating illegal immigration, while the war in Ukraine brings President Volodymyr Zelensky to Brussels.
The ordinary European summit in October comes at a time when Germany and France strengthen border controls and tighten immigration ruleswhen countries like Spain and Greece also face migration pressure, Italy concludes agreements with third countries and Poland is trying, as Finland did, to temporarily suspend the right to asylum to respond to what they say are attempts by Belarus and Russia to use migrants to destabilize the West.
On the eve of the meeting, in which Portugal will be represented by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, European sources estimated a “sensitive debate” given the different points of view and the different contexts of the Member States in migration management, which will serve to analyze how to combat illegal immigration, reinforce the returns of people in this situation and improve the paths of legal integration.
According to the same sources, this should be a first debate on this issue, which takes place months after the EU adopted a new pact on asylum and immigration, which will not come into force until 2026, given the necessary adaptation period of the legislation. national. of the 27 Member States, but from which the Netherlands and Hungary are already requesting its exclusion, while other countries insist on the prompt adoption of the new rules.
Given the necessary unanimity, it is not certain that an agreement on a common position on migration can be reached at this meeting (as Hungary has blocked it on previous occasions), especially since the leaders are expected to return to this issue. topic at the European Council in December. .
Portugal defends a consensual position in the EU in the face of new pressures taking into account geopolitical tensions, as long as it respects international law and safeguards regular migration channels.
At EU level, it is estimated that 27.3 million third-country citizens live in the 27 Member Statesequivalent to 6.1% of the population, and that illegal immigrants correspond to less than 1% of the total.
In Portugal, the resident foreign population exceeds one million.
The most recent data from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) reveals that the number of irregular entries into the EU decreased by 42% to 166,000 in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period of the year past.
The European Council will also discuss the latest developments in the war in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion with the in-person participation in Brussels of the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a day after presenting his “victory plan” that foresees a military war Aspect with more deterrence resources, new debates for peace and integration in the EU and NATO.
Ukraine has relied on financial and arms aid from its Western allies since Russia invaded the country on February 24, 2022.
This European Council meeting will also address geopolitical tensions in the Middle East between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas and the Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah.
This is the last ordinary European summit held by the current president of the European Council, Charles Michel, a position held since December by the former prime minister, António Costa.
Source: Observadora
