Mikkonen for reforms in EU’s asylum policy

Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen underscored that both Finland and the EU should proceed with long-term objectives and to implement the necessary reforms of the EU’s migration and asylum policy against the backdrop of influx of Ukrainian refugees to European countries.

She also said that Member States should prepare for the continuation of the crisis and a further escalation of the situation regarding migrants, according to a government press release.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered large-scale migration to the European Union. Member States should prepare for the continuation of the crisis and a further escalation of the situation regarding migrants. In addition to taking urgent measures, it is increasingly important for both Finland and the EU to proceed with long-term objectives and to implement the necessary reforms of the EU’s migration and asylum policy,” Mikkonen said on the eve of the meeting of EU home affairs ministers scheduled for Friday in Luxembourg.

The EU home affairs ministers will continue the discussion on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

The focus will be on the refugee situation in the EU and the effects of the war on the Union's internal security.

The ministers will also discuss the EU’s migration and asylum policy reform.

In June, more than 20 EU Member States (including Finland) and Schengen associated countries signed a political declaration of solidarity for the benefit of five Mediterranean countries (Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta). The signatories have so far made commitments concerning the relocation of slightly more than 8,000 asylum seekers.

As part of the EU, Finland shoulders its share of responsibility for the impact of the situation in Ukraine on migration, and especially for protecting people fleeing the war. The Temporary Protection Directive provides a uniform European solution that helps to guarantee immediate protection and a uniform status in the Member States for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

About 4.3 million applications for temporary protection have been registered in the EU. Of those applying for temporary protection across the EU, 0.9 per cent have been registered in Finland.

No significant changes have taken place in the number and situation of refugees in recent weeks. However, as the winter approaches, the number of arrivals is set to increase again.

The introduction of a common registration platform for beneficiaries of temporary protection in the Member States is progressing.

Since its deployment in June, data on 3.5 million registrations has already been uploaded to the system. The European Commission is further developing the system to improve the situational picture of refugee movements between EU Member States.

The home affairs ministers will also discuss the effects of the war in Ukraine on the EU’s internal security.

In September, the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Ilkka Salmi informed the home affairs ministers of his visit to Ukraine. One of the aims of the visit was to exchange information between Ukraine and the EU on terrorism, organised crime, arms smuggling and the investigation of war crimes.