Contents
Federal Councilor Beat Jans expects a lot from the stricter EU asylum policy if it is implemented as planned. This is what the Swiss Minister of Justice said after a meeting of European ministers in Ghent, Belgium.
They flee to Europe in the hope of a better life. Many have little chance of asylum because they are not persecuted. It is precisely these people that we want to prevent from fleeing, which is the main goal of the new European migration and asylum pact. In Ghent, Belgium, the responsible European ministers discussed for two days how this pact should be implemented.
If the EU asylum pact is successfully implemented, Switzerland will benefit.
Federal Councilor Beat Jans spoke of a milestone. “The goal is that irregular migration within Europe can be curbed and Switzerland would of course benefit greatly from this,” he said. Ultimately, however, it is crucial how this new policy is implemented in concrete terms. “If it succeeds, Switzerland will benefit. If the pact is not implemented well, we will be in the same place as we are today.”
Legend:
The reform stipulates that asylum procedures are carried out at the external borders of the Schengen area. The EU Parliament approved the reform at the beginning of April.
Keystone/EPA/KENNY KARPOV
The new migration pact has two central elements:
- Anyone who comes from a country from which less than twenty percent are recognized as refugees ends up in a camp at the EU’s external border. There will then be a faster asylum procedure that should be completed within twelve weeks.
- In addition, Europe should show solidarity in crisis situations and take refugees from countries like Italy or pay them money. Switzerland can take part here, it doesn’t have to. The Federal Council decides that.
Sober reactions from members of parliament
In their initial statements, parliamentarians from the left and right are skeptical as to whether this solidarity between Europe, celebrated by Federal Councilor Jans as historic, will ultimately also have an impact on Switzerland and whether the number of asylum seekers will fall.
Only if this pact is implemented correctly will it have a deterrent effect.
Schwyz FDP Councilor of States Petra Gössi emphasizes that it is crucial how this new policy is now implemented: The previous Schengen-Dublin system no longer worked well because countries like Italy and Hungary no longer adhered to it. “Only if this pact is implemented correctly will it have a deterrent effect.” Only then would fewer people flee across the Mediterranean who would have no chance of asylum. This could also curb smuggling.
Above all, the EU asylum pact will further fuel the smugglers’ business model if the walls around Europe are raised higher
National Councilor Balthasar Glättli (Greens/ZH) fears the opposite effect. This will even further promote the tugboat industry. “The EU asylum pact will, above all, further fuel the smugglers’ business model if the walls around Europe are raised higher and the chances of those in need of protection to find protection in a reasonable way are limited.”
The European states – including Switzerland – now have two years to implement the new rules at national level. Parliaments will have to deal with this. In Switzerland there is the possibility of a referendum.