Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Croatia, Austria, and Poland are facing serious migratory pressure and will be able to apply for a full or partial exemption from the relocation of migrants for the coming year under the EU’s new Asylum and Migration Pact, the European Commission announced.
Each of these countries, according to the Commission, may submit such a request to the EU Council (which brings together all member states).
Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner stated at a press conference in Brussels that Poland is among the EU countries struggling with a serious migration problem. He added that, for this reason, Warsaw may request a full or partial exemption from the asylum and migration pact’s solidarity provisions.
When asked at the conference whether Poland would be exempt from the migrant relocation mechanism – one of the solidarity instruments included in the asylum and migration pact to support countries under migratory pressure – the Commissioner replied:
“First and foremost, when it comes to Poland, it must be clearly stated: solidarity is flexible. Member states may also choose alternative measures instead of relocation. This means that relocation is not mandatory,”
he emphasized.
The Migration Pact provides for the possibility of accepting migrants, making a financial contribution, or providing operational support.
Brunner added that Poland is among the member states facing a significant migration challenge.
“This is the case because Poland, as I mentioned earlier, has received a large number of beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine. Thanks to our decision today, Poland may apply to the Council (of the EU) for a full or partial exemption from the solidarity pool, and the Council will decide on the matter,”
the Commissioner explained.
Decisions on this issue will have to be adopted by the EU Council through a qualified majority vote.