(24 July 2018) – The European Commission is today expanding on the concept of ‘controlled centres’ as well as short-term measures that could be taken to improve the processing of migrants being disembarked in the EU, and giving a first outline of the establishment of ‘regional disembarkation arrangements’ with third countries.
The primary aim of controlled centres would be to improve the process of distinguishing between individuals in need of international protection, and irregular migrants with no right to remain in the EU, while speeding up returns.
The centres would be managed by the host Member State with full support from the EU and EU Agencies and could have a temporary or ad-hoc nature depending on the location.
The objective of regional disembarkation arrangements is to provide quick and safe disembarkation on both sides of the Mediterranean of rescued people in line with international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, and a responsible post-disembarkation process.