EU have reached an agreement on the fair distribution of asylum seekers in the European Union. Under the agreement EU countries were migration pressure is lower than average either have to take in additional asylum seekers arriving in other members states such as Greece or Italy or pay countries like these where migration pressure is high to help them deal with the flow of migrants. Belgium has opted for the later and will pay around 13 million euro to EU to member states that are under heavy migration pressure.
The new European Asylum and Migration Pact comes into force in June 2026. It includes a solidarity mechanism for the annual redistribution of asylum seekers from member states that are under heavy migration pressure.
An allocation formula based on scientific research has been devised by the European Commission. 4 EU countries, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Spain, are under the greatest pressure from migration. Under the terms of the European Asylum and Migration Pact 16 other member states will be obliged to take in asylum seekers from these 4 countries next year. In addition to the 4 grounties under the greatest pressure from migration there is also an intermediate group of 6 countries that have already received many more asylum seekers in recent years. These countries that include Austria, Croatia and Poland,will not have to participate or only will have to participate in part.
EU ministers agreed that 30,000 asylum seekers per annum will be eligible for resettlement. But as the agreement won’t take effect untill 12 June next year, the number will be less than this in 2026. As 70% migrant arrivals occur during the latter of the year, it has been agreed that 21,000 asylum seekers from Cyprus, Greece, Spain and Italy will be eligible for resettlement in 2026.
Cash instead of resettlement
The 16 European countries that are obliged to contribute to the solidarity mechanism may, however, opt to make a financial contribution rather than take in additional asylum seekers. Belgium has opted to do this and on Monday it was decided that the country will have to pay 12.9 million euro to the solidarity mechanism rather than asylum seekers from other EU countries.
The Belgian Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Flemish nationalist) told VRT News that “Our commitment cannot be endless. Through financial contributions, we can help other member states to take structural measures so that we can reduce the influx into the European Union. This is a realistic and supportive way to contribute.”
Also on Monday, EU member states reached an agreement on a stricter return policy. Currently, many migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected currently remain in Europe. The EU wants to take stricter action to address this.