MOSCOW, July 24. /TASS/. The European Commission presented an outline for creation of "controlled centers" to establish an EU migrant’s status, and provided additional steps on receiving those saved in the Mediterranean Sea. The organization’s website published a press release, which expands on this issue, on Tuesday.
According to the plan, "controlled centers" will become the first arrival point for migrants arriving to the EU, no matter the port of disembarkation. The centers will be managed by the host state with full support from European border guards, asylum experts, security screeners and return officers. All costs will be covered by the EU budget. Financial support will also be provided to the EU member states accepting transfers of those disembarked (€6.000 per person).
"To test the concept, a pilot phase applying a flexible approach could be launched as soon as possible," the press release states. "The Commission will also provide a central contact point to coordinate among Member States taking part in solidarity efforts - as an interim measure until a fully-fledged system can be established in the context of the ongoing Common European Asylum System reforms."
In order to reduce migrant deaths at sea, the European Commission urged all Mediterranean coastal states to establish search and rescue zones, as well as Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs). The European Commission also wishes to avoid the so-called "pull factors" by not offering resettlement possibilities to all disembarked persons in need of international protection. The press release stipulates that "points of reception should be established as far away as possible from points of irregular departure."
The EU ambassadors are expected to discuss the concept of "controlled centers" in more detail on July 25. They will also discuss regional disembarkation arrangements. Further discussion of the issue will take place on July 30 in Geneva, at a meeting with the IOM (the International Organization for Migration) and UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). "Only once a common EU approach is agreed will outreach be made to interested third countries," the press release stressed.
The outcomes of the June summit
The EU summit, which took place on June 29, approved a final statement on migration. Following the summit, the European Commission was asked to expand on the concept of special controlled centers, as well as migration centers in non-EU states, which would select the refugees who have a right to request asylum and send them to the EU. Those who need help (first and foremost, people fleeing from active war zones) should be sent to the EU states on a voluntary basis. The countries would have no special quota on receiving a particular amount of refugees.
The document released on the outcomes of the summit also states that the EU should increase funding of operations aimed at preventing illegal migrants from entering the European countries’ territory, as well as funding of similar activities in Turkey and African countries.