Migration Pact

The Italian government, headed by Giorgia Meloni, is arguing with the courts over the transport of migrants detained in the Mediterranean Sea to Albania. Italy wants to process their asylum applications there. But a court in Rome ruled on Friday to return the first 12 refugees to the Apennine peninsula. It relied on an EU court ruling that has a Czech footprint. The Italian development complicates the efforts that the Czech government had hoped to make from the measure. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Novinky.cz.

The EU Summit started in Brussels this morning and one of its key points is to be further assistance for Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky is in attendance and has presented a "victory plan" which includes strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities. A particularly heated discussion is expected around adjustments to EU migration and asylum policy. Shortly before the start of the summit, representatives of several countries, including the Czech Republic, were due to hold an emergency meeting to reconcile their positions in this area. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the current events on Czech Radio broadcast.

The new rules on asylum and migration agreed upon by EU member states this year are, according to ANO movement leader Andrej Babiš, "a huge betrayal prepared by the government of Petr Fiala". Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Hospodářské noviny.

The main man in charge of migration in the new European Commission will be Austrian Magnus Brunner. The Commission's head Ursula von der Leyen has also given the topic of migration partly to the Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, to focus, among other things, on the fight against smugglers. The migration pact is not expected to change. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for Novinky.cz.

Germany wants to introduce checks at all its land borders for six months from September 16. The federal government wants to reduce illegal migration and increase security in the country. Germany will be able to refuse refugees at its borders. Austria has already announced that it will not accept any rejected migrants at its borders. Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented for the main evening news broadcast on TV Nova.

The European agency Frontex has released data on the number of migrants arriving in the European Union. This year, it recorded a third less migrants who have entered the Union illegally compared to last year. What are the reasons behind the decrease in migrant numbers? Did the failed agreement between the United Kingdom and Rwanda have an impact? Will the recently approved migration pact, which will come into effect in two years, also help? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on this for Novinky.cz.

After Filip Turek and Kateřina Konečná achieved significant success in the European Parliament elections in the Czech Republic, a debate has arisen about their stance on the migration pact. Turek aims to free himself from its constraints, while Konečná advocates for its complete abolition in its current form. But is this even feasible? Viktor Daněk, deputy director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented this topic for Novinky.cz.

Before the upcoming elections to the European Parliament, a debate was held on TV Nova among the leading figures of the seven main political parties, movements, and coalitions. Important issues such as the migration pact or the conflict in Ukraine were discussed. Martin Vokálek, Director of EUROPEUM Institute, provided an analysis for TV Nova regarding the main threats facing the European Union.

We invite you to a public podcast recording focusing on the discussion of changes in the Czech approach to refugees due to the Russian war in Ukraine. We will delve into shifts in Czech solidarity towards refugees and also discuss the new migration pact, its content, and significance.

Migration will be one of the main issues in the European Parliament elections. Experts say the newly approved migration pact will not save the European Union, but strengthening controls at the external border of the Schengen area would help. Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, commented on the migration issue for the main evening broadcast on TV Nova.

Tunisia has become the main exit point for asylum seekers and refugees, especially those from sub-Saharan Africa. The EU, faced with a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa, has bolstered its cooperation with Tunisia, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Kais Saied. However, questions arise over the EU's handling of human rights abuses in Tunisia, reminiscent of past agreements with Turkey. Nargiz Mustafazade, a trainee in the Brussels office of EUROPEUM Institute, writes about this topic in her blog.

The Migration Pact heads to its final vote in the Council of Ministers. The Czech Republic will abstain in this final vote. What is the process of approval within the European Union? What led to the change of position? And what are the implications for the EU of the just-approved migration pact? Viktor Daněk, Deputy Director of EUROPEUM Institute, comments for Czech Radio.