Charles Michel’s statements come a week after reception centers for asylum seekers from outside the EU began operating in Albania, following a controversial agreement with Italy.
The outgoing president of the European Council, Charles Michel, maintains that the European Union “should not be afraid” of finding new instruments to manage migratory pressure, as long as they respect international law, when talking about external centers for immigrants.
“As for centers in Albania or elsewhere, these are not new ideas and were already considered some years ago. […] and now there is an internal debate in Italy in which I do not want to interfere, but […] Actually We must not be afraid to look for operational ways, concrete ways, to be more effective. in terms of migration management, on the one hand, and, on the other, ensuring that it complies with international law,” says Charles Michel.
In an interview with Lusa and other European news agencies within the framework of the European Newsroom project in Brussels, the person in charge highlights that “Not everything is black or white, we must take into account the different realities“, as well as the “conditions of proportionality and prescription”.
Approximately a month before leaving office to be succeeded as the director of the institution by the former Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, the person in charge underlines: “I am not saying that what exists in Albania is good or bad, it depends on how they are respected. the principles of international law.
The statements come a week after reception centers for asylum seekers from outside the European Union (EU) began operating in Albania, following a controversial agreement with Italy.
The Italian government adopts a decree to validate detention centers in Albania
Despite the fact that other Member States (such as Hungary and Slovakia) defended the multiplication of these centers outside the EU, an Italian court invalidated the retention in Albania of immigrants who had been considered suitable and ordered their return to Italy, in a decision that The Italian government will appeal.
The European Commission expressed doubts about the legality of the agreement signed between Rome and Tirana in November last year, but ended up considering that the protocol does not violate community law and, in a letter sent a few days ago to EU leaders, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, defended identical centers in other third countries.
In this interview, Charles Michel admits that the Migrations are “a collective challenge” for the EUbut says it sees “greater convergence” between countries in combating illegal immigration and creating more legal pathways, particularly given European demographic and economic needs.
Michel also says he is “in favor of a Greater European coordination on the safe country concept”outside the EU to welcome immigrants.
This is a delicate debate in the EU given the different points of view and the different contexts of the Member States in migration management, which aims to combat illegal immigration, reinforce the returns of people in this situation and improve the means of legal integration.
A European summit dedicated to the issue was held in Brussels a week ago, without reaching an agreement on new measures.
In May, the EU adopted a new pact on asylum and immigration, which will not enter into force until 2026, given the necessary period of adaptation of the national legislation of the 27 Member States.
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.
Former Belgian Prime Minister, liberal politician Charles Michel, 48, presided over the European Council for two terms from December 2019 to November 30, 2024, and will be succeeded by António Costa from December 1 .
Source: Observadora
