Today, diplomatic sources confirmed that representatives of EU member states have reached a consensus on the final form of a migration package. However, the Czech Republic notably abstained from the vote, as previously announced.

The reforms outlined in the latest version of the EU migration and asylum pact were met with less enthusiasm than anticipated by the Czech Republic, according to Interior Ministry spokesman Ondrej Kratoska. He explained that the reforms fell short of the Czech Republic’s expectations and raised concerns about increased administrative burdens, along with reduced efficacy in preventing irregular migration at the EU’s external borders.

Transport Minister Martin Kupka echoed these sentiments, stating that the Czech cabinet perceived the new version of the pact as inferior to the one formulated during the Czech Republic’s EU presidency. Kupka emphasized the importance of securing a pact conducive to effective return policies and robust protection of external borders.

Kratoska further elaborated on the shortcomings of the final version, highlighting increased administrative burdens on member states compared to the previously approved version by the EU Council. Specifically, he pointed out the weakening of border procedures and the imposition of obligations on member states to establish and finance additional national monitoring systems under the border procedure.

These developments could potentially exacerbate secondary movements from border states deeper into the EU. Additionally, the shortened deadline for security checks of detained migrants on the territory to just three days raises concerns about procedural effectiveness.

Despite years of negotiations leading to the agreement on the new rules last December, the formal approval by the European Parliament is still pending, expected to take place at its plenary session in April.

The new migration and asylum rules aim to enforce stricter controls on refugees, expedite the return of rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin, and introduce a compulsory solidarity mechanism among EU states regarding refugee acceptance. This mechanism seeks to alleviate the burden on member states by redistributing refugees or providing financial/material aid.

The package’s key element, the asylum and migration management regulation (AMMR), is designed to establish rules of solidarity between EU member states, addressing long-standing issues surrounding migration within the bloc.

Article by Prague Forum