Debate: EUCO conclusions: the need for the speedy finalisation of the Road Map
Date: WEDNESDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2023
Speaker: Jessika Roswall 
Language: EN

I think there is a common understanding among us all that we need a comprehensive asylum reform to overcome the shortcomings of the current system. This has been recognised by the European Council, which has called on both the Council and Parliament to continue the work on the Pact on Migration and Asylum in accordance with the Joint Roadmap, which we agreed on last September. The permanent representatives of the five rotating presidencies have been meeting regularly within the members of the Asylum Contact Group of the European Parliament. I understand that these meetings have proved very positive and I have confirmed that the political will that exists in both sides is to reach a timely conclusion on all files. Let me now briefly comment on the implementation of the Joint Roadmap by the Council. During the Czech Presidency, a concept for a way forward on the reform of the EU’s common asylum system was developed. This foresees a balanced system of solidarity, a crisis response mechanism and responsibility. Home Affairs Ministers considered this work a good and viable way forward at the December Council. Since the beginning of our presidency, work has started on the legislative proposal of the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation. We are confident that there is a willingness among all Member States to make progress and to agree on a mandate that will allow us to start the interinstitutional negotiation as soon as possible. We are working on a system capable of ensuring solidarity and alleviating the burden for the affected Member States. At the same time, it should improve the function of the current system, including by addressing secondary movements. In parallel, discussions continue on the border procedure under the Asylum Procedure Regulation proposal, aiming at a fast and effective migration procedure at external borders. The Council is ready to start negotiations on this file as soon as the European Parliament adopts its mandate. We also aim at making substantial progress on the Crisis Situation Regulation, and discussion at expert levels started at the end of last year. Given the important links with the Instrumentalisation Regulation, the Presidency is considering the best way forward on these two proposals. Following the first useful exchange between the co—legislators on the Eurodac Regulation, the first substantive trilogue meeting will be held very soon, and we hope that we can make good, swift progress together.  You are aware that the Council also stands ready to start negotiations on the Screening Regulation as soon as the European Parliament adopts its mandate. Here, I would like to stress the importance of making progress on the interinstitutional negotiations on these files wherever possible, because delaying certain discussions may result in putting extreme pressure as we approach the end of this term. The incoming Spanish and Belgian Presidencies will then not have sufficient time to finalise work on all the proposals. Finally, with the confirmation of the provisional agreements, progress was possible on the Qualification Regulation, the Reception Conditions Directive, and the Resettlement Framework Regulation. The future steps will depend on the progress in the negotiations in all the files under the Asylum and Migration Pact reform. The European Council last week focused on the overall importance of managing migration to the EU. We agreed on stepping up our action to prevent irregular departures and loss of life, to reduce pressures on EU borders and on reception capacities, to fight against smugglers and to increase returns. This will be done by intensifying cooperation with countries of origin and transit, through mutual beneficial partnerships. I would like to finish my intervention by reiterating once again that the Council remains committed to make all efforts towards the finalisation of all the files before the end of this term. Thank you very much for your attention.