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Migrant crisis: EU to debate faster deportations Migrant crisis: EU considers faster deportations
(about 3 hours later)
Plans to speed up the deportation of failed asylum seekers are to be discussed at a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg. Plans to speed up the deportation of failed asylum seekers are being discussed at a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg.
The home affairs ministers are expected to approve measures including the detention of those who may abscond before they can be expelled.The home affairs ministers are expected to approve measures including the detention of those who may abscond before they can be expelled.
More pressure could also be brought to bear on many countries of origin to take people back.More pressure could also be brought to bear on many countries of origin to take people back.
It comes as EU states grapple with a huge influx of asylum seekers. EU states are grappling with a huge influx of asylum seekers.
Europe migrant crisis - in depthEurope migrant crisis - in depth
More than 600,000 people have arrived in the bloc so far this year, many fleeing war, poverty and persecution. More than 600,000 people have arrived in the EU so far this year, many fleeing war, poverty and persecution. Most refugees qualify for asylum under international law.
But last year more than half a million non-EU migrants were found to be "illegally present" in the 28-nation bloc. Most were ordered to leave, but EU countries deported only about 40% of those listed for removal.
BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says that after months of talks on how to redistribute tens of thousands of migrants, the EU is turning its attention to keeping unwanted migrants out and sending home those whose asylum applications are rejected.BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says that after months of talks on how to redistribute tens of thousands of migrants, the EU is turning its attention to keeping unwanted migrants out and sending home those whose asylum applications are rejected.
Who does the EU send back?Who does the EU send back?
Europe set to start seizing smugglersEurope set to start seizing smugglers
Merkel-Hollande plea for European unityMerkel-Hollande plea for European unity
Migrant crisis in graphicsMigrant crisis in graphics
However, there is a limited amount that the EU as a whole can do as deportations are the responsibility of individual member states, he adds.However, there is a limited amount that the EU as a whole can do as deportations are the responsibility of individual member states, he adds.
A draft text produced for Thursday's meeting, seen by Reuters news agency, reads: "The EU and its member states must do more in terms of return. Increased return rates should act as a deterrent to irregular migration." Going into the meeting, UK Home Secretary Theresa May said "we need to crack down on those who are abusing our asylum system.
EU foreign ministers along with delegations from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and the Balkan states will join the talks later on Thursday to discuss ways of stemming the flow of migrants. "The UK has a good record in this area, but on returns [of migrants] we need to see Europe upping its game, and we stand ready to support that."
A draft text produced for Thursday's meeting reads: "The EU and its member states must do more in terms of return. Increased return rates should act as a deterrent to irregular migration."
The European Commission has put forward an "action plan" on migrant returns, which calls on member states to "use detention, as a legitimate measure of last resort", to help prevent irregular migrants moving elsewhere in the EU.
Many EU politicians are under domestic pressure to expel more migrants, amid a nationalist backlash across Europe.
Focus on Balkans
EU foreign ministers along with delegations from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and the Balkan states will join the Luxembourg talks later on Thursday to discuss ways of stemming the flow of migrants.
Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon are home to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, many of whom have made their way to Europe.Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon are home to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, many of whom have made their way to Europe.
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters on Thursday that "the important thing today is to improve the EU's external border protection".
The EU border force Frontex must be strengthened, Mr de Maiziere said - a point echoed by Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner.
Both countries plan to send asylum specialists to help Italy and Greece, where new EU "hotspots" are being set up to register migrants.
Ms Mikl-Leitner also stressed that return agreements with non-EU countries had to be properly enforced, so that failed asylum seekers go home.
"For Austria it's important to get that with Algeria and Morocco, as there are problems in both of those countries," she said.
EU solidarity plea
On Wednesday, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged EU members to act together to tackle the migrant crisis.On Wednesday, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged EU members to act together to tackle the migrant crisis.
In a rare joint address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, they called for a revamped system for dealing with asylum claims. In a rare joint address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, they called for a revamped European system for dealing with asylum claims.
Mrs Merkel has been criticised by some in Germany for openly welcoming more Syrian refugees.Mrs Merkel has been criticised by some in Germany for openly welcoming more Syrian refugees.
Germany has taken in far more migrants than any other EU nation, while others have refused to sign up to a quota system.Germany has taken in far more migrants than any other EU nation, while others have refused to sign up to a quota system.
Mrs Merkel told European MPs: "In the refugee crisis, we must not succumb to the temptation of falling back into national action. Quite the contrary, now we need more Europe.
"We must see them [migrants] as people, whether they have the prospect of remaining or not. Humanitarian standards of accommodation and claim processing must be upheld."
The EU launched a new operation in the southern Mediterranean on Wednesday in which naval vessels will be able to board, search, seize and divert vessels suspected of being used for people smuggling.The EU launched a new operation in the southern Mediterranean on Wednesday in which naval vessels will be able to board, search, seize and divert vessels suspected of being used for people smuggling.
Until now, the EU has focused on surveillance and rescue operations.