EU Proposes New Refugee Policy of 'Mandatory Solidarity'

On the 17th (local time), a newly installed refugee camp and heavy equipment in Karatepe, northeast of Lesbos Island, Greece. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The European Union (EU) executive body, the European Commission, will propose a plan for a new EU refugee and migrant treaty on the 23rd (local time).

According to AFP and the British BBC, the EU Commission plans to implement a system called the "mandatory solidarity mechanism," under which each member state will be required to accept refugees and receive subsidies based on the number of people accommodated. Member states that do not comply with the treaty may face lawsuits or fines.

Wilba Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, said, "It is clear to everyone that voluntary solidarity is not enough. This has been proven over the years," adding, "It must become mandatory."

Under current EU regulations, the country where migrants and refugees first arrive is responsible for processing their asylum and refugee applications.

Countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece, which are geographically close to Africa and the Middle East and thus experience concentrated inflows of migrants and refugees, have demanded revisions, calling the treaty unfair as it places a unilateral burden on specific countries.

Since the 2015 European refugee crisis, the 27 EU member states have shown differing positions regarding responses to refugees. The plan proposed by the EU is expected to spark debate once again among EU member states.

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has already expressed opposition to plans that would force member states to accept refugees. He said the day before, "The distribution of asylum seekers within Europe has failed, and many countries oppose it," adding, "It will not work this way."

The dpa news agency reported that it is unclear whether the EU Commission's proposal will be approved by EU member state leaders and the European Parliament. Previous related attempts have failed.

This proposal comes amid signs of a renewed refugee crisis, following a large fire that destroyed the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos Island, Greece's largest refugee camp, leaving more than 10,000 residents homeless on the streets.