Reform of EU migration policy won’t lead to Rwanda-style plans, says Ylva Johansson

Ylva Johansson has asserted that the reform of the European Union’s migration policy will not endorse the outsourcing of asylum requests. She emphasized the need for collaboration with third countries to manage migration, acknowledging the necessity of working together to combat smuggling and manage migration routes. Johansson clarified that, under the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the EU does not support sending individuals applying for asylum within EU territory to third countries.

Referring to the comprehensive reform known as the New Pact, Johansson highlighted its objectives, including establishing common rules for managing asylum seekers, expediting applications with low chances of success, and ensuring a fair distribution of those granted international protection. The New Pact, provisionally agreed upon in December, is awaiting final approval from the European Parliament and member states.

In parallel, the EU has intensified efforts to strengthen the “external dimension” of migration by forming tailored agreements with neighboring countries, such as Tunisia, Mauritania, and soon, Egypt. These agreements involve providing EU funds to enhance border management and reduce migrant departures from these countries.

Notably, Italy’s unexpected move to sign a protocol with Albania to process up to 36,000 asylum applications per year drew criticism from humanitarian organizations, labeling it as potentially leading to human rights violations. The EU Commission did not object to the deal but emphasized its need to comply with EU law, including the provisions of the New