By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
    As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
    June 6, 2023
    FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
    FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
    June 6, 2023
    New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
    New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
    June 6, 2023
    CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
    CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
    June 6, 2023
    International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
    International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
    June 6, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Arab League calls on Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities, oblige Israel to end occupation
    Arab League calls on Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities, oblige Israel to end occupation
    June 5, 2023
    Institute of Diplomatic Studies holds training course for diplomats from South Sudan
    Institute of Diplomatic Studies holds training course for diplomats from South Sudan
    June 5, 2023
    Al-Sisi participates in African meeting on mediation in Russian-Ukrainian crisis
    Al-Sisi participates in African meeting on mediation in Russian-Ukrainian crisis
    June 5, 2023
    Washington, Riyadh call for new ceasefire agreement in Sudan
    Washington, Riyadh call for new ceasefire agreement in Sudan
    June 5, 2023
    Ugandan president says 54 peacekeepers killed in Somalia deadly attack
    Ugandan president says 54 peacekeepers killed in Somalia deadly attack
    June 5, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    EFG Finance to launch unified platform gathering all its financing services: Alaa Al-Afifi
    May 31, 2023
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    May 25, 2023
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    May 8, 2023
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    April 29, 2023
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    April 18, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: EU interior ministers fail to agree on refugee deal
Share
Notification
Latest News
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
Tourism
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
Business
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
Business
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
Business
International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
International Conference of Institute of National Planning discusses various types of governance
Business
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > World > EU interior ministers fail to agree on refugee deal
World

EU interior ministers fail to agree on refugee deal

Deutsche Welle
Last updated: 2015/09/15 at 2:10 PM
By Deutsche Welle 5 Min Read
Share
SHARE

EU interior ministers were supposed to agree on a relocation scheme for refugees. But they split up without even coming to a common conclusion, postponing any decisions to October. Andrea Rönsberg reports from Brussels.

In the end, Luxembourg’s minister for immigration and asylum was proven wrong.

“I am convinced that we can muster the power, energy and will needed to not only philosophize, but to take concrete steps toward a solution,” Jean Asselborn had said when arriving for the interior ministers’ extraordinary meeting earlier on Monday.

But when Asselborn addressed the press some eight hours later, he could not communicate any such concrete steps.

Instead of presenting conclusions agreed by all member states, Asselborn could merely summarize those arrived at by the rotating presidency currently held by his country – though the Luxemburgish minister along with EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopolous stressed that these were supported by “a very large majority” of EU member states.

Avoiding talk of quotas

Some two hours earlier, when German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve addressed the press, journalists crammed into the French briefing room at the EU Council building were led to believe that all member states were about to agree on some minimal measures.

Even then, though, ministers markedly abstained from talking about quotas to relocate refugees from Italy and Greece, where the situation – especially on the islands – has become untenable.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proposed quotas to relocate 120,000 refugees from Italy, Greece and Hungary across EU member states in a speech last Wednesday.

Already in May, the Commission urged member states to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece.

Redistributing refugees is supposed to ease the burden of those member states at which most refugees arrive, and which are responsible for carrying out asylum procedures.

Few tangible outcomes

However, ministers only arrived at an agreement on the issue of relocating those 40,000 “in clear need of international protection” who have arrived in Italy and Greece within the last four weeks. This decision had however already been made in principle at a meeting in July, with Monday’s adoption a mere formality.

Asselborn nonetheless called this decision “a very important political message.”

The interior ministers also agreed to adopt a list of safe countries of origin – a measure, however, that was also to be finally decided in October.

Major divisions on major issues

Yet with regard to relocating 120,000 refugees, the interior ministers remained divided.

“Some countries apparently don’t feel committed to the principle of solidarity responsibility” said de Maiziere. “This will have to change – or else we in Europe will have a problem.”

According to de Maiziere and the Luxemburg presidency, ministers might decide on this issue at their next meeting on October 8.

But there was no mention whatsoever about specifics according to which criteria refugees could be distributed.

“The Commission’s proposal will serve as a basis for an agreement,” Asselborn said.

EU member states Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, in particular, are the countries that oppose introducing quotas.

“The last week has shown to everybody that quotas don’t work” said Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak prior to the meeting. “If 14,000 cross the border from Hungary to Austria, but only 700 ask for asylum, that means something. It means that not only do they not want to stay in Hungary, they also don’t want to stay in Austria. And it’s not possible to hold them there by force.”

Criticism from human rights group

Interior ministers left Brussels late on Monday short of taking the “concrete steps” the EU presidency had been hoping for, with Luxembourg’s Asselborn reminding them that “time is of the essence” and that “a common problem requires a common solution.”

The failure to find such a common solution on Monday prompted criticism from rights group Amnesty International.

“The measures that were on the table were piecemeal at best, and a far cry from a comprehensive EU response to a global refugee crisis, and ministers could not even agree on these,” said Iverna McGowan, acting director for Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office.

“As the refugee crisis mounts with every passing day, the EU’s reaction has been paralyzed, not resolute.”

You Might Also Like

Iran hopes to promote ties with Belgium, Europe: FM

Türkiye’s re-elected Erdogan announces major reshuffle in new cabinet

FM Shoukry attends inauguration ceremony of Turkish President

1 Egyptian security personnel, 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in border shooting 

India train crash kills at least 207, injures hundreds 

TAGGED: border, european union, Germany, Hungary, refugees, Syria, War
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Egypt deserves better than to be toyed with
Next Article Merkel’s reasons for accepting refugees
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
As Egypt decides to establish tourist chambers, federation, what is in it for tourism industry?
Tourism
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
FRA extends deadline for electing Egyptian federation for securities’ board for 3 months
Business
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
New MoU signed to develop SMEs in industrial zone in East Port Said
Business
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
CI Capital records revenues of EGP 1.6bn in 1Q 2023
Business
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?