EU Proposes Seven Safe Countries for Asylum Seekers

The European Commission has proposed a list of seven countries deemed as safe third countries for asylum seekers, aiming to streamline processing procedures across the EU. The countries included are Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. This initiative is designed to expedite asylum claims from these nations, where the likelihood of successful applications is considered low.

Currently, several EU member states maintain their own national lists of safe countries. The proposed EU-wide list will complement these existing frameworks, promoting a more uniform application of asylum procedures. In Austria, for example, the national list encompasses countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Mongolia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Ghana, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Georgia, Armenia, Benin, Senegal, Namibia, South Korea, and Uruguay.

As part of the reform, the EU aims to implement significant changes to asylum processing times. Asylum applications from individuals hailing from these listed countries are proposed to be processed within a maximum of three months, halving the current standard processing time of six months. The rationale behind this expedited approach is based on the low success rates of asylum claims from these nations.

Despite the designation of these countries as safe, the Commission emphasizes that all asylum applications must be assessed on an individual basis, irrespective of the applicant's nationality. Furthermore, being classified as a safe country does not guarantee the safety of all its citizens. The Commission highlights that EU candidate countries typically meet the criteria for this classification, although exceptions do exist, particularly in situations of war, arbitrary violence, or sanctions imposed by the EU Council.

The list has been developed following a thorough analysis by the EU Asylum Agency, alongside contributions from member states, the UNHCR, and the European External Action Service. The Commission has indicated that this list is subject to ongoing evaluation and could be revised or expanded in the future, depending on various factors such as the number of arrivals from these countries and the acceptance rates of their asylum applications.

Moreover, the proposal allows member states to apply expedited border procedures for individuals from countries where, on average, 20% or less of applicants receive international protection within the EU. This legislative proposal must receive approval from both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU member states before it can take effect.

This reform of the EU asylum system is part of a broader effort to tighten the existing regulations surrounding asylum and migration, with the ultimate goal of curbing irregular migration. The EU Commissioner for Migration has reiterated the importance of supporting member states in enhancing the efficiency and speed of asylum procedures, particularly in light of significant backlogs in processing applications.