Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-04-19-Speech-4-572-000"
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"en.20120419.23.4-572-000"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner Malmström, honourable Members, there is no doubt that Greece is facing difficult challenges in the area of immigration, and it is absolutely vital that we support Greece by restoring its capacity to manage immigration.
In the Council we have repeatedly discussed the implementation of Greece’s national action plan in the area of asylum and migration and in the area of border control, most recently at the Council meeting (Justice and Home Affairs) on 8 March this year. At this meeting, the Commission and Greece reported that a certain amount of progress is being made, for example in relation to the practical processing of asylum applications. However, it is also clear that enormous challenges still remain when it comes to implementation. These include ensuring that there is an adequate complement of staff to handle the cases and the establishment of the required number of reception centres. It is vital that all resources are utilised to improve the implementation of Greece’s action plan. This will involve a huge effort on the part of Greece itself and, in particular, a well-coordinated effort from the EU to assist Greece.
It will be necessary to involve EU agencies, such as our joint European Asylum Support Office and Frontex, and those Member States that are able to help. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will also play an important part here in terms of providing financial resources, expertise and other practical assistance. In this connection, it is good that, according to information received, there are plans to set up new reception centres in the Evros region. In a moment I will hand the floor to the Commissioner, who will be able to tell you more about the subject of migration in Greece.
I would like to take this opportunity to emphasise that, in the Council, we have discussed how we can show solidarity with Member States whose asylum systems are under particular pressure. On 8 March, therefore, the Council adopted a set of Council conclusions on a common framework for genuine and practical solidarity towards Member States facing particular pressures on their asylum systems, including through mixed migration flows. The central element of this solidarity framework is the idea of an early warning, preparedness and crisis management mechanism within the Dublin Regulation. This mechanism has now been included in the amendment to the Dublin Regulation, which we have just sent to Parliament with a view to initiating trialogue negotiations. This mechanism provides us with a starting point to enable us to anticipate situations like the one we are seeing in Greece. At the same time, we will have the tools to assist the country in question should the situation arise.
There is agreement in the Council concerning the value of strengthening the Schengen cooperation and control of the external borders. The Council is also in agreement about strengthening the role of the EU agencies and cooperation with third countries, as well as promoting effective and proper expulsions. The agencies in particular are vital for strengthening solidarity by increasing their practical cooperation. The Presidency firmly believes that solidarity is an important principle, which must be implemented in the form of genuine and practical cooperation. With this general starting point of solidarity, we will, of course, maintain our focus on the situation in Greece and the implementation of the action plan.
The Council supports the implementation of the action plan and is in favour of a well-coordinated effort, and I am pleased that Parliament has taken up this subject here today, as, in this area too, Greece’s challenges are the EU’s challenges. A reform of Greece’s asylum and migration system and well-managed border control are not only important for the EU and Greece, but also for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees."@en1
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