DUBLIN REGULATION TO BE REFORMED – Process is moving slow

The process of reforming the Dublin III Regulation, which aims to establish a single asylum system for all Member States, is undergoing extremely slow and difficult steps. Greece and Italy are looking for a fairer “Dublin”, as under the current regulation they are obliged to examine all asylum applications lodged in the EU. However, some European countries are opposed to changing the regulation because they do not want to accept refugees.

Changes in the European asylum system are necessary due to the new reality that has been shaped over the last two years. As pointed out by Dimitris Avramopoulos, European Commissioner for Immigration, “the refugee crisis of the past two years has shown that, in its present form, the common European asylum system has serious structural weaknesses. We need a durable asylum system based on solidarity and fair sharing of responsibilities. A viable and comprehensive system, where no country alone will be able to face future challenges. ”

The refugee and migratory flows to the European Union are estimated to increase in the coming years. According to estimates by the European Union, 1,500,000 people from sub-Saharan African countries are ready to leave their country in the next few years and look for a better future in Europe. However, negotiations to change the Dublin Regulation, which began a year ago, with the submission of the relevant proposal on the part of the Commission, are becoming more and more difficult as some European states refuse to take refugees.

The European Parliament, in the context of the legislative process that has begun to reform the Dublin Regulation, has come up with its proposals.

In particular, it proposes to activate a system of automatic migration of asylum seekers to another Member State when a country reaches 100% of the applications it can receive. At the same time, the asylum seeker should automatically move to the country where he has relatives in the context of family reunification. Generally, although applicants do not have the right to choose a transition country, they should be able to express a preference based on their skills. Finally, the European Parliament proposes a five-year adaptation period for the Member States with no experience and infrastructure to prepare for the reception of asylum seekers.