This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35974982#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
European Commission to unveil new EU asylum options Migrant crisis: European Commission proposes asylum reforms
(about 3 hours later)
The European Commission is due to unveil options for reforms to the way EU countries handle asylum claims in response to the migrant crisis. The European Commission has come up with alternatives for a "more humane and efficient" way of handling asylum in response to the migrant crisis.
The move is in part a reaction to the difficulties faced by Greece and Italy in coping with large numbers arriving from the Middle East and Africa.
The current EU system is widely thought to have failed because of the influx of a million people through Greece.The current EU system is widely thought to have failed because of the influx of a million people through Greece.
Under the rules refugees should claim asylum in the country they arrive in. Among the options is a plan to scrap a rule for refugees to claim asylum in the country they arrive in.
But the so-called Dublin regulation proved unworkable when Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the door to Syrian refugees last August. The so-called Dublin regulation proved unworkable when Germany opened the door to Syrian refugees last August.
Greece and Italy had already stopped registering every arrival, but the daily journey of thousands of irregular migrants from Turkey to the Greek islands meant that most were allowed to continue their route through the Balkans. European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans argued the current system had to change, saying: "We need a sustainable system for the future, based on common rules, a fairer sharing of responsibility, and safe legal channels for those who need protection to get it in the EU."
As most irregular migrants in the past three years have arrived in the EU in Greece and Italy, the two countries have been left with the majority of cases.
Both states stopped registering every arrival and most new arrivals on the Greek islands since August continued their route through the Balkans.
Eventually several countries put up fences and border controls in an attempt to halt the influx.Eventually several countries put up fences and border controls in an attempt to halt the influx.
The European Commission is expected to suggest either a modest change that preserves the current system but adds a "fairness" provision so a country struggling to cope can get help. Mr Timmermans said there were two options
A second, more radical option would be to scrap the existing rules and distribute refugees around Europe. To put a stop to so-called asylum shopping, rights for asylum seekers would be made conditional on being fingerprinted and remaining in the relevant EU country.
However, several countries do not want to see wholesale changes to the system. Several countries do not want to see wholesale changes to the system.
The UK and many eastern European states have made clear they want to keep the system which allows them to return asylum seekers to the country where they entered the EU. While Italy wants to see it abolished, Germany and the UK are keen to keep the existing first-country system, which enabled the British government to deport almost 2,000 asylum seekers in 2015.
The Berlin government would like a relocation scheme established for asylum seekers to alleviate the pressure on Greece and Italy, and halt the influx of migrants.
Whichever proposal is finally agreed, the UK cannot be forced to take asylum seekers as it has opt-outs from EU asylum policies, BBC Europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas explains.Whichever proposal is finally agreed, the UK cannot be forced to take asylum seekers as it has opt-outs from EU asylum policies, BBC Europe correspondent Damian Grammaticas explains.
Under an EU deal aimed at cutting off the migrant route through the Balkans, Greece has begun deporting migrants to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.Under an EU deal aimed at cutting off the migrant route through the Balkans, Greece has begun deporting migrants to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.
However, the Athens government paused the operation on Tuesday, a day after the first boats took 202 people to the Turkish port of Dikili.However, the Athens government paused the operation on Tuesday, a day after the first boats took 202 people to the Turkish port of Dikili.
Hundreds more are due to be removed later this week, but the migrants are arriving in Greece faster than they can be sent back. Hundreds more are due to be removed later this week but the migrants are arriving in Greece faster than they can be sent back.
In other developments:
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.
Are you a migrant from Syria, Pakistan or any of the other countries involved in deportations this week? What do you think of the deportations? Are you affected? Send us your views and experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you a migrant from Syria, Pakistan or any of the other countries involved in deportations this week? What do you think of the deportations? Are you affected? Send us your views and experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
Or use the form belowOr use the form below