10 March 2015
European Commission plans asylum processing centres outside EU
The European Commission is expected to present a new policy paper on boat migration in the Mediterranean in which it proposes the establishment of third country processing centres in key transit countries. The intended centres would be used to process applications for asylum and refugee status and would be located in countries, such as Niger, Egypt, Turkey and Lebanon.
The aim of this policy proposal is to stem the movement of boat migrants across the Mediterranean. In recent years, it has become one of the most dangerous migration routes, with figures suggesting that more than 3500 have drowned in their attempts to reach European shores. The new proposal is strongly favoured by frontline European states, most notably Italy.
Source: The Guardian | Brussels plans migration centres outside EU to process asylum applications