The European Commission proposes solutions to resettle refugees
Today the Commission launched a proposal to create a "Joint EU Resettlement Programme" in order to protect refugees through cooperation between Member States. The aim of this programme is to relocate refugees from the first place of asylum to a country where protection is ensured and where they can develop their lives. This is the most viable solution for those who are unable to return to their country of origin, which are Asia, Africa or the Middle East in most cases.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that in 2010, there will be ten million refugees worldwide, and 203 000 of them will need to be resettled. In 2008, 6.7% of the refugees were resettled in the EU. At present there is an imbalance between the number of refugees who need resettlement and the number of entry permits accepting states. Only a joint effort of the international community can bring solution to this imbalance.
Another issue is the transfer of refugees among EU countries. These are cases of intra-Community solidarity, with respect to which the Commission is in the process of assessing individual projects.
Specifically, the "Joint EU Resettlement Program" provides political and practical co-operation between member states to jointly undertake activities aimed at identifying and receptción of refugees in need of resettlement. The European Asylum Support Office will assist in these tasks. The creation of this office is another proposal from the Commission to coordinate and strengthen cooperation on asylum between Member States.
At present there are ten EU countries Which carry out resettlement on an annual basis, while others occasionally accept refugees. These activities are Carried out without much consultation and coordination among EU Member States, and this situation is that the Programme seeks to reverse. To achieve this, proposes a more effective use of economic aid from the European Refugee Fund, optimize the cost-effectiveness of resettlement activities and increase its humanitarian and strategic impact.
Despite joint actions providing for the Programme, the Member States will decide whether to accept relocation or not, and if so, how many refugees will take over.