The 27 European Union member states have called for a new law to deport migrants more quickly. The heads of state and government said in a joint statement in Brussels this evening, “The European Union calls for decisive measures at all levels to facilitate and accelerate returns (…).” They called on the committee to submit a new legislative proposal “as a matter of urgency.”
They affirmed their determination to combat the exploitation of migration for political purposes and protect the external borders of the European Union “by all available means and in accordance with European and international law.”
The heads of state and government said Russia, Belarus and other countries should not ignore European values such as the right to asylum and undermine democracies. They expressed their solidarity with Poland and other affected countries.
Von der Leyen announced the bill
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously announced a new draft law that would allow faster deportation of migrants. Von der Leyen explained in a letter to the 27 member states published on Monday evening that the goal is to “effectively simplify the return process.”
It was only in the spring that EU member states agreed to reform the Common European Asylum System, which for the first time allows asylum procedures directly at the EU's external borders.
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