Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-04-06

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Commission unveils plans to overhaul asylum system and migration policy

[02] Gov't spox slams main opposition leader for demanding PM's resignation

[01] Commission unveils plans to overhaul asylum system and migration policy

In a joint press conference after the meeting, Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said the EU proposes two alternative solutions on the future review of the Dublin Regulation, which aim at a fairer distribution of responsibilities among member-states and more solidarity.

He described the Commission's proposals as "bold" and "ambitious" and noted that in both alternative solutions asylum seekers will automatically be distributed among member-states according to an "allocation key". Avramopoulos said that the Dublic Regulations must be implemented until the new system is in place, while acknowledging it is difficult for countries that receive a large number of migrants, like Greece.

On his side, Commission's First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said the current asylum system is fraught with problems ranging from asylum shopping to irregular migration.

"The refugee crisis has shown the weaknesses in our Common European Asylum System. Let there be no doubt: those who need protection must continue to receive it, and they should not have to put their lives in the hands of people smugglers. But the current system is not sustainable," he said. "Different national approaches have fuelled asylum shopping and irregular migration, while we have seen in the ongoing crisis that the Dublin rules have placed too much responsibility on just a few Member States."

Timmermans also said that in the meantime, the EU will have to apply the existing law to stabilise the situation.

Both Timmermans and Avramopoulos said that the Commission's aim is to submit legislation on these issues before the summer.

[02] Gov't spox slams main opposition leader for demanding PM's resignation

Mitsotakis said earlier accused Tsipras of damaging the country and called for his resignation, following the fallout of the IMF leaks over the weekend.

"The more Mr. Mitsotakis' expectations are disproved, the more he is exposed," Gerovasili said. "Mitsotakis cannot hide his disappointment for the fact that the plans of some extreme circles to stall the negotiations and create again credit asphyxiation to the country have come to nothing."

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article