ALDE:Member States need to show more solidarity in asylum policy

Today the European Parliament voted on the asylum package as proposed by the Commission which addresses among other things reception conditions, legal assistance, the management of asylum applications and the use of detention. Many solemn declarations and agreements have been made. Now it is time to implement them.

ALDE spokesperson on immigration policy, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (VVD, Netherlands) stresses the need for 'compulsory solidarity' between Member States, and introduced a binding instrument for all Member States.

"The ultimate objective pursued at EU level is to establish a level playing field and a system, which guarantees that persons genuinely in need of protection have access to a high level of protection under equivalent conditions in all Member States, while, at the same time, dealing fairly and efficiently with those found not to be in need of protection."

"Community involvement in this field is founded on the need for solidarity among Member States in addressing a challenge that, in an EU without internal borders, cannot be effectively dealt with by individual countries."

Furthermore, she requests the Commission to make full use of its possibilities to start up infringement procedures if countries have not fully implemented European laws regarding access to the asylum procedure and adequate
reception conditions.