Council Presidency seeks to implement "regional disembarkation centres" in third countries
30 October 2018
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EU
Council Presidency
seeks to implement "regional disembarkation centres"
in third countries
30.10.18
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The Austrian Council Presidency has produced a: Working Paper; Regional Disembarkation Arrangements (LIMITE doc no: WK 10084- REV 1-10, pdf) to launch the "initial phase of outreach" to third states in Africa to be undertaken:
"by interested Member States, e.g. by those who entertain privileged relationships with the respective third country"[emphasis throughout]
In other words for EU Member States to use their colonial past to put into effect the "swift exploration" of creating regional disembarkation "platforms."
See also: EU Africa Relations: Tone Down the ‘Newness’ and Revisit History (ECRE, link) who observe:
"There are European roots to many of the causes of forced displacement in Africa. Currently, one of the most acute contradictions in EU-Africa relations is the co-existence of desperate attempts to reduce migration while at the same time Europe fuels displacement through the arms trade, climate change, complicity in corruption and other actions."
At the same time the Austrian Council Presidency also wants to advance the idea of creating "controlled centres within the EU."
Also to:
"facilitate the dialogue with the partner countries, the EU should also engage countries of origin, in particular sub-Saharan countries, to facilitate returns of irregular migrants from partner countries."
And be prepared to use "non JHA related incentives" to enforce EU policies by witholding aid for "development, trade, transport, energy and culture."
For background see:Managing migration: Commission expands on disembarkation and controlled centre concepts - Both concepts follow the model of the "hotspots" in Italy and on the Greek islands (Statewatch News)
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