According to the document, these trends are already visible. “The number of people applying for asylum increased, and living conditions in most countries of origin have deteriorated” – we read in the analysis.
However, according to the internal data of the EU Asylum Agency in the first three months of this year, the number of asylum applications in the EU, Switzerland and Norway fell by 19 percent. compared to the previous year. Now Italy and Greece were in the center of attention again.
In the case of Italy, the Commission emphasizes that at the beginning of May the number of those who came from Libya increased significantly in the third week in a row and reached the highest level of 2354 people between April 28 and May 4. Only 670 migrants came to the island of Lampedus on May 1. Their journey is mostly organized by criminal networks. People come mainly from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Egypt, often fly charter planes from Alexandria (Egypt) to Bengazi (Libya).
“An increase in the number of arrival, which probably results from the improvement of weather conditions and deterioration of the situation in transit countries, can persist” – writes the commission. Referring to the United Nations Commission for Refugees, the report reports that 90,000 were in Libya on May 1. people ready to go on a trip to Europe. This is an increase of 59 percent. Compared to the beginning of 2024.
Continuation of the material under the video
“Growth by 95 percent”
The increase in the number of migrants with Sudan. At the same time, the political situation in Libya is becoming more and more unstable: for years fierce battles have been underway between competing militia, and in the last weekend in the capital of Tripoli there have been the most severe clashes for a long time.
The Greek island of Kret was again in the center of attention. According to EU data, 2879 migrants arrived there from the beginning of January to the beginning of May. This is a 95 % increase. compared to the same period last year. The possibilities of taking migrants are currently heavily strained. Most of the arriving, including many Egyptians, come from Tobruk in Libya, where professional smugglers operate.
The European Parliament is also concerned about the development of the situation. – Help at sea should belong to you. The State Organization of Rescue Actions in the Mediterranean makes the activities of criminal smugglers' criminal gangs-says a migration expert from the German Free Democratic Party FDP Jan-Christoph Oetjen in an interview with “Welt am Sonntag”.
Although many problems remain unresolved, Brussels continues Asylum policy reforms: better registration of migrants, faster border procedures, strengthened protection of external borders, penalties for applying for asylum in several places within the EU and better possibilities of rapid deportation of undocumented migrants and asylum procedures in third countries.
Stringer / AFP
Refugees and migrants off the coast of Italy
Asylum system
From the beginning of this year, the office under the direction of the EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner is working on implementation regulations of the new asylum pactwhich was adopted in May 2024. However, these funds were only partly effective so far, because they have not yet obtained the consent of the European Parliament and the Member States or because they must be implemented only in June 2026.
The plan presented a few days ago by Brunner may be particularly effective: Member States will soon be much easier than before to transfer people applying for protection to so -called a safe third country.
In the future, it is enough for a person to drive a given state during escape or that the EU state concluded a contract with him. However, the third state must comply with the terms of the contract: persons covered by the contract must have adequate care and the authorities cannot deport them to another country.
According to Brunner, the new concept of a safe third state is an instrument “supporting member states in more effective consideration of asylum applications”. A spokeswoman for internal policy of European Christian Democrats (EVP) Lena Dupont said that this proposal has a “real chance to organize the asylum system”.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
