Source: European Parliament
Repeated migrant deaths at sea are a tragic reminder of the need for a comprehensive approach to migration management and renewed efforts to combat migrant smuggling.
The EU supports Member States in migration management (e.g. through financial and operational support), with the objective of creating fair, efficient, and sustainable migration and asylum systems.
At the same time, it will continue its work on preventing dangerous journeys from taking place. This is done by addressing the root causes of irregular migration and by reinforcing the existing framework to combat organised criminal networks along migratory routes to the EU.
The granting of international protection must be carried out in line with the requirements set out in the Qualification Directive[1] which will be succeeded by the Qualification Regulation[2] and reflects the Geneva Convention[3].
Both the Geneva Convention and the EU asylum acquis, however, do not provide beneficiaries of international protection with the right to reside in their country of choice.
The European Council Conclusions of 19 December 2024[4] reaffirmed the need to achieve conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns to Syria, as defined by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The Commission is constantly monitoring the situation in Syria and remains in contact with UNHCR.
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32011L0095
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202401347
- [3] https://www.unhcr.org/media/convention-and-protocol-relating-status-refugees
- [4] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/jhlenhaj/euco-conclusions-19122024-en.pdf