EU solidarity faces test

ASYLUM SEEKERS: EUROPE’S MIGRATION PACT MEETS POLITICAL REALITY

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The European Union’s (EU) new migration pact faces its first real test in coming months as countries are called to split the “burden” of resettling at least 30 000 asylum seekers with a Christmas deadline to strike a deal.

The EU’s 27 states last year struck a landmark agreement that hardens border procedures, envisages accelerated deportations and overhauls how the bloc deals with asylum seekers.

The deal will fully enter into force in 2026. But talks on its so-called “solidarity mechanism” begin this month - and dominate the agenda in the coming weeks.

Seeking to “ensure fair burden sharing” between countries along migration routes, such as Greece or Italy, and the rest of the EU, the pact requires other member states to take in a certain number of asylum seekers.

States that fail to do so must make a financial contribution of €20 000 (about R406 000) per asylum seeker to the countries under pressure.