EU stresses solidarity in tackling migration

ATHENS, Greece－The European Union's home affairs commissioner on Monday stressed the need for solidarity among the bloc's member states in tackling migration.

Ylva Johansson also called on Turkey to resume accepting failed asylum-seekers who had crossed into Greece from Turkey.

Johansson was speaking alongside Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi on the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos after visiting migrant facilities there and on the island of Samos.

The visit comes amid continuing accusations against Greece of illegal summary deportations, and as EU countries discuss a new migration pact to deal with the issue of people seeking asylum in Europe.

The vast majority of asylum-seekers arrive by sea in the countries on the EU's southern and southeastern borders: Greece, Italy and Spain. Those three, along with the also affected island nations of Malta and Cyprus, have joined forces to lobby for a more equal distribution among the bloc's other members.

"What we have been seeing in Europe the last six years is the lack of a Europeanized migration policy, and that means that member states at our external borders have been under huge pressure," Johansson said in a news conference.

In Greece, the main brunt of migration has been borne by the eastern Aegean islands, which are close to Turkey and thus a favored route for people-smuggling gangs. Residents on both islands held protests during Johansson's visit.

A deal struck between the EU and Turkey stipulates that new arrivals must remain on the islands pending return to Turkey unless their asylum application is successful. The agreement reduced arrivals but did not stop them entirely, leading to massively overcrowded island camps.

Johansson noted the situation had greatly improved recently, with a faster asylum procedure and relocations to other European countries.

She also said Ankara should resume accepting those who have been slated for return. Last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his government would no longer discourage migrants from trying to cross the border into Greece.

Talks on the way

After EU leaders agreed last week to improve cooperation on migration and trade with Ankara, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Charles Michel will hold talks with Erdogan on April 6, an EU spokesperson announced on Monday.

The scheduled meeting comes after EU leaders discussed the bloc's relations with Turkey.

The EU leaders on Thursday agreed to relaunch cooperation with Turkey in a "phased, proportionate and reversible" manner in the fields of trade and migration.

They decided to launch high-level dialogues with Turkey on issues of mutual concern, such as public health, climate and counterterrorism as well as regional issues.

Agencies - Xinhua