Germany Reportedly Tightens Migrant Returns to Italy, Greece

Germany is reportedly set to toughen its stance on returning migrants, intending to resume transfers to Italy and Greece once the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum takes effect. A spokesperson for the German Interior Ministry stated that the effective operation of the Dublin system is an "absolute prerequisite" for the success of the Common European Asylum System, indicating Berlin's expectation that transfers to Italy and Greece will restart from the pact's official entry into force on June 12.

The Dublin Regulation generally requires asylum applications to be processed in the first EU country a non-EU migrant enters. The new pact also introduces stricter rules concerning the secondary movement of migrants between member states, a long-standing point of contention between Italy and countries like Germany, Austria, and France.

However, a source within the Italian Interior Ministry countered that there are no "Dublin migrants" currently needing to be readmitted from Germany. Italy considers the status of all migrants classified as "Dublin migrants", those who moved to other EU states after arriving in Italy before June 12, to be resolved under existing agreements. The source added that it is too early to determine the whereabouts of migrants who arrived in Italy after June 12, given the short time elapsed.

Italy plans to argue for a "compensation" mechanism for migrants entering irregularly after June 12, taking into account those arriving on ships operated by European-flagged NGOs. This stance highlights the ongoing complexities and disagreements among EU member states regarding the management and distribution of asylum seekers.

“

The proper functioning of the Dublin system was an “absolute prerequisite” for the success of the Common European Asylum System.