VdL: 'Must Build Trust Between MS & Citizens That EU Can Manage Migration'

Delivering a short statement before the detailed unveiling of the EU's new Migration and Asylum pact, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talked up the plan, calling it a 'fresh start', and saying that the old system, known as the Dublin III regulation, 'no longer works'.

• 'We have to build trust between members states and citizens, and the confidence that we can manage this as a union'
• 'The proposal reflects a balance between responsibility and solidarity...'
• The plan is intended to reduce the burden of migrants on countries such as Greece and Italy that bear the brunt of migration from across the Mediterranean. Politico reported earlier that this could come in the form of 'sponsorship' from other member states to repatriate those whose claims for asylum have been rejected. There will be an eight month period for the sponsor country to arrange and facilitate the repatriation. If this deadline is exceeded, the candidates for repatriation will have to be transferred to the sponsor country.
• The hope for the Commission is that in not forcing member states to take in migrants against their will the plan could gain the support of countries such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic while alleviating some of the political pressure in Greece and Italy.