EU Member states agree on asylum and immigration policy

EU States reach accord on asylum and immigration

Diplomats of European Union member states agreed to share the task of caring for refugees and migrants in case of crisis.EU ambassadors who came together in Brussels managed to overcome Italy's reservations and signed a key text for the reform of European migration policy before the informal summit of EU leaders to be held in Spain on Friday.

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The agreement announced by EU Presidency Spain will form the basis of negotiations between member states and the European Parliament. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as a "game-changing development" that would allow progress in negotiations.

The agreement, called the "Asylum and Migration Pact", was designed to regulate Europe's response in the event of a mass influx of migrants into an EU country, as in the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. 

The agreement gives member states the option to adapt their asylum and immigration policies in times of crisis. The text provides for the introduction of a system of exceptions for asylum seekers that is less protective than the usual procedures in the event of a "massive" and "exceptional" influx of immigrants.

The agreement extends detention at the EU's external borders to up to 40 weeks. Under the agreement, states with high refugee influxes will be able to speed up procedures and request solidarity contributions from other EU members in the form of relocating refugees or receiving financial assistance.

source:euronews