We Live and Learn...

by the editor

My pessimistic predictions regarding the final outcomes were somewhat put to shame by the final document. While the resettlement program was indeed eliminated in the final version, Dublin II left intact, and the 'ask permission before you extraordinarily close an internal Schengen border' paragraph revised to reflect the status quo, some version of a common migration policy did make it through. 

Common visa and asylum rules have been postponed (perhap indefinately), but a common system to deal with illegal immigrants (i.e. those who cannot be granted asylum) will result from this summit. The new "Safe Port" system is fairly inconsequential as it pertain to the EU "Safe Ports". Those will not require more than a new sign at the entrance to existing camps, such as the one on the Italian islet of Lampedusa. What's new is the "Safe Ports" in third countries. The system seems to have broad support from all, although some grumbles were heard from an Amnesty International activist. However, the new system certainly opens the possibility for a much clearer instrument of pressure against third countries, since funding through the European Neighbourhood Policy in its reincarnation as the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument, will now be directly and explicitly tied to third countries efforts and success in preventing migration to Europe.

Otherwise, the only major change seems to be the combining of various programmes into fewer, larger and more wide-ranging programmes through pooling.

All in all, this was perhaps the best that could be hoped for, since the Commission's initial idea of limiting national ability to extraordinarily close down internal Schengen borders probably never had a chance in the Council, and only Greece was openly championing a truly shared burden of immigration, against staunch opposition from both France, Germany, the UK and the Danish presidency.

Do not think however, that we have heard the last on such common migration policy efforts in the EU. Besides the promise of a follow-up summit to look into possible common asylum and visa procedures (this may simply be a stalling effort, allowing the issues to die quietly), Commission President Barroso remarks at the final press conference should be kept in mind. He basicly said outright that this limited initial effort is only the thin end of the wedge, and that the Commission is biding its time. In doing so, the Commission is also licking its wounds after being steam-rolled by the government delegations at the very end of the summit, when the Council outright excluded Commission representatives from their final meeting, and then went on to dictate the results to the Commission.