The New Pact on Migration and Asylum must be guided by the principles of solidarity and responsibility sharing: Maltese, Greek, Spanish and Italian borders are our common European borders, the PES Migration and Integration Network stated yesterday.

Co-chair of the PES Migration and Integration Network, Swedish MP Carina Ohlsson from SAP, said:

“We congratulate our progressive Commissioner Johansson for her enormous efforts on the Pact. The Pact follows on several of our priorities but also leaves some aspirations unachieved, with the most prominent issues being the question of responsibility sharing, including for Search and Rescue. The progressive family is fighting for asylum and migration policy which holds true to European values and is built on commitments on solidarity, bringing a better balance of responsibility among countries. Asylum and migration policy requires a common European way forward.”

PES ministers, MEPs, representatives from PES member parties and organisations, and NGOs met by videoconference to discuss the New Pact, which aims to balance the need to welcome refugees and other migrants, fight smugglers, and ensure integration and appropriate treatment for everyone, including those who cannot remain in Europe.

Read more here.