Almost ten years later of the reception crisis that brought the European Union to the limit, the fall of the Bashar al-Assad It opens a new stage for Syria, and also for the thousands of refugees who fled to Europe before the outbreak of war, but the Commission believes that it is too early to talk about forced returns.
“At the moment, I would say that the forced returns “They are not possible,” he said. Magnus Brunner, The European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, after his first meeting of ministers in office, “it is important that we follow the advice of UNHCR” (acronym for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees). Brunner assured that the Commission continues up close the situation on the ground, particularly in the borders.
EU interior ministers discussed the issue during a work lunch in Brussels. According to diplomatic sources, the main message is caution. We must closely follow the evolution of the situation in the country, evaluate it and, above all, not take hasty decisions about returns. A vision that shares most countries and also the Commission.
“Right now the situation is quite volatile. There are, let’s say, opportunities, but also risksBrummer explained. “Although the transfer of power has been peacefulwe know little about the address and the strategy of the new actors“, acknowledged the commissioner. The situation in Syria will also be on the table on Monday when EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels.
Yes to voluntary returns
Although Brunner acknowledged that they do not have figures on how many people intend to return or have returned to Syria, he assured that several ministers said they knew about many cases of people who are considering returning. “Some speak of two, others of 200,” said the commissioner, who alleged that the images of people celebrating the fall of Assad in European capitals make him “optimistic”.
The volatility of the situation, however, makes Brunner believe that it is pronto to draw conclusions about the future of Syrians living in European territory, although he considers that the focus should now be on voluntary returns, “this can be attractive for many Syrians.” On Friday a meeting of the 27 will take place at a technical level in which the Commission, the Foreign Action Service and UNHCR representatives to continue assessing the situation and coordinating a possible response.
In 2015, more than one million of people came to Europe seeking asylum. The majority, Syrians. The seriousness of the situation in the country, Germany’s open-door policy at the time, and the lack of border controlscaused thousands of people to risk their lives to seek refuge. Almost ten years later, the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime opens a new era, for Syria and, predictably, for Europe.
After the fall of Assad, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Greece o Germanywhere a significant part of the diaspora resides, decided to suspend ongoing asylum applications from Syrian citizens. A measure that the European Commission has not considered.
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