European Commission Proposes Mandatory Quotas for Refugee Resettlement

Strategic Insights -

The European Commission has outlined plans for a mandatory refugee resettlement program, aiming to relocate 120,000 individuals from Greece, Italy, and Hungary to other EU nations. The proposal, announced by European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, aims to distribute refugees based on each country's population, GDP, past asylum applications, and employment rate. The move is part of a broader effort to address the EU's response to the ongoing refugee crisis, with some member states pushing back against the idea of mandatory quotas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Commission proposes relocating 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy, and Hungary to other EU nations by 2020.
  • 15,600 refugees will come from Italy, 50,400 from Greece, and 54,000 from Hungary, with the remainder to be distributed among other EU states based on specific criteria.
  • EU member states will be required to take in refugees according to binding quotas, with additional funding to be provided to countries hosting large numbers of refugees.
  • The plan includes a permanent relocation mechanism and the establishment of a common EU list of safe countries of origin, aimed at streamlining the asylum application process.
  • Germany's foreign and economy ministers stated that Europe "faces a big test" but that the European Commission's proposals are "brave" and heading in the right direction.
  • The European Commission has allocated 1.8 billion euros to the "Trust Fund for Africa" to address migration from African nations where populations face limited opportunities.
  • The Council of Europe has issued new guidelines for the treatment of migrants, emphasizing respect for human rights and the importance of fair distribution among EU member states.

Statistics:

  • 120,000 refugees to be relocated from Greece, Italy, and Hungary to other EU nations.
  • 15,600 refugees to come from Italy, 50,400 from Greece, and 54,000 from Hungary.
  • 44.5% of the 120,000 refugees to come from Greece (50,400/120,000).
  • 40.0% of the 120,000 refugees to come from Italy (15,600/120,000).
  • 45.0% of the 120,000 refugees to come from Hungary (54,000/120,000).
  • 1.8 billion euros allocated to the "Trust Fund for Africa" to address migration from African nations.
  • 47 member states of the Council of Europe have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Sources:

  • European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker's proposal for mandatory quotas, CNN.
  • Statement from German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel, CNN.
  • Council of Europe secretary general Thorbjorn Jagland's letter to member states, Council of Europe.
  • European Commission's proposal for a permanent relocation mechanism and common EU list of safe countries of origin, European Commission.