The European Union approves a new reform that makes it easier to reject asylum applications
The European Union has reached a major reform in its asylum policy, making it easier for member states to reject applications deemed inadmissible. The agreement came after overnight negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council to enhance national control over asylum procedures.
Under the new rules, the European Union has a more effective tool for managing unacceptable asylum applications. The reform aims to speed up procedures, alleviate pressure on national asylum systems, and reduce incentives related to irregular migration to EU countries.
The essence of the reform is based on expanding the concept of 'safe third country'. Member states can now consider an application inadmissible if the asylum seeker can obtain effective protection in another country classified as safe.
The reform specifies three cases for applying this principle: when the applicant has a direct connection to the safe country, or if they passed through it on their way to the European Union, or if there is an official agreement between the member state and that third country. Filing appeals against decisions of non-acceptance will not automatically grant the right to stay during the processing of the appeal.
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, praised the reform, emphasizing that it fulfills the Union's commitments and adds an important tool for managing migration. The new mechanism aims to enable member states to handle inadmissible applications more efficiently while maintaining basic legal safeguards and ensuring effective protection in countries classified as safe.