Slovakia challenges EU's controversial migrant pact amidst regional dissent.
The Slovak Foreign Ministry has declared that the government of Bratislava disagrees with the EU's migrant pact, particularly regarding the mandatory relocation of illegal immigrants. It emphasized that EU countries should independently choose how to assist nations grappling with migratory pressures.
The Slovak government has disapproved of the solidarity principle, which mandates hosting migrants with irregular statuses within its borders. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar mentioned that the migration policy reform was implemented despite opposition from the Slovak Republic.
According to Blanar, the migration pact fails to offer a long-term solution that would ensure stability. This perspective aligns with the standpoints of several Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, and Slovenia.
The Slovak Foreign Ministry further criticizes the Schengen area's protection against illegal immigration as inadequate, arguing that the new migration pact falls short of addressing this issue effectively.
Migrant Pact: Decision by the EP
The European Parliament greenlit the migration pact on Wednesday to support countries facing migratory pressure, albeit keeping relocation voluntary. The pact received approval from 301 deputies, faced opposition from 272, and saw 46 abstentions.
The European Commission defends the Pact as a remedy for issues related to the EU's asylum process. Conversely, about 50 international organizations, including the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, have criticized its provisions.
These organizations contend that the Pact exacerbates migrants' plight and fails to aid member states receiving significant influxes at their external borders, such as Greece or Italy.
The adopted framework introduces a mechanism of 'voluntary solidarity.' On that Wednesday, the chamber voted on ten legislative texts that make up the pact, all of which passed. Activists in the plenary session in Brussels, aiming to disrupt the vote, voiced their opposition to the agreement.
