EU reaches deal to address illegal immigration
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – European Union member states reached an agreement on Wednesday to address illegal immigration during periods of high arrivals, marking progress in reforming the bloc’s asylum and migration policies ahead of next year’s pan-European election.
The 27 countries will negotiate further with the European Parliament. They hope to have a functioning migration system in place ahead of a 2024 European Parliament election that takes place across the union of some 450 million people.
As per the agreement, countries like Italy, which face a high influx of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, will be able to expedite asylum procedures and seek prompt assistance from other EU member states. This assistance may include financial support and the relocation of migrants.
In response to the unexpected arrival of over a million people in 2015, which overwhelmed countries like Greece and Italy, the EU has been actively pursuing reforms to its asylum system.
Diplomatic sources said Italy agreed to the deal after removing some references to the NGO operations.