20 Member States support Belgian call for a coordinated European approach to the return of irregular and criminal Afghan nationals
The call by Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt for a coordinated European approach to the return of irregular and criminal Afghan nationals has broad support across Europe, Eurativ resports. 20 Member States have now signed a joint letter to European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magnus Brunner, urging the European Commission to take concrete steps to enable both voluntary and forced returns of Afghan nationals who have no legal right to stay in the EU and, in particular, those posing a threat to public order.
“Member States from north to south, west to east are facing the same challenge: we are unable to return irregular Afghan nationals, even after a conviction. This undermines public trust in asylum policy and affects our collective security. It is time for Europe to act together,” Minister Van Bossuyt stated.
European call to action
The signatory countries call on the European Commission to place return arrangements with Afghanistan high on the political agenda and to pursue diplomatic and pragmatic solutions that would allow safe and orderly returns.
Van Bossuyt underlined: “Without effective return mechanisms, no asylum or migration policy can be credible. The EU must send a clear signal: those who have no right to protection or to residency in Europe and threaten our public safety, must return.”
Concrete proposals
In her letter, Minister Van Bossuyt proposes that Frontex be given a stronger coordinating role in the voluntary return and reintegration of Afghan nationals, ensuring more coherence and cost-efficiency across Member States. She also encourages the European Commission to advance work on possibilities for forced return, giving priority to individuals posing a threat to public order or national security.
Furthermore, she calls for closer cooperation between the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS) and willing Member States, for instance through a joint administrative-level mission to Afghanistan to ensure for example identification. Finally, she urges that tangible progress be achieved by the end of this year within the High-Level Network on Return and other relevant European fora, so that the EU’s return policy can deliver visible results.
Window of opportunity
With the backing of 20 Member States, Belgium aims to take the lead in moving this dossier forward. “We have a window of opportunity to act”, said Van Bossuyt. “We have sent a clear and united message to the European Commission: Europe can no longer afford to stand still. It is time for a firm and coordinated response, so that the EU can regain control over migration and our security.”
These countries have signed the letter:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden