JHA Council – Melchior Wathelet : "responsibility and solidarity"
![](http://www.eutrio.be/files/bveu/imagecache/node_main_img/media/CDN/photos/20100715_BELGIUM_EU_INFORMAL_MEETING_JUSTICE_AND_INTERIOR_AFFAIRS/print/100715jan06.jpg "JHA Council – Melchior Wathelet : "responsibility and solidarity"")
Under the presidency of Melchior Wathelet, Secretary of State for the Migration and Asylum policy, in the presence of Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an informal Internal Asylum Justice council met on 15 July in Brussels, at the Egmont Palace.
Under the presidency of Melchior Wathelet, Secretary of State for the Migration and Asylum policy, in the presence of Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an informal Internal Asylum Justice council met on 15 July in Brussels, at the Egmont Palace.
The Belgian Presidency wishes to focus on the elaboration of a true common policy in terms of asylum and immigration where concepts of liability and solidarity take centre stage. The Belgian Presidency wished, during the informal council, to place emphasis on implementing the application of the Stockholm programme. This ambitious programme, adopted by the European Council at the end of 2009, aims to set up a common asylum system by 2012. The aim of the discussion was to agree on the strategy to adopt, in order to meet this objective.
Six legislative texts are currently being examined (Qualification, Dublin Regulation, Eurodac Regulation, Long-term Resident Directive, Procedures Directive and Directive relating to minimum standards for accommodation).
Discussions must nevertheless continue in terms of all these proposals. However, Melchior Wathelet is delighted that the Council supported the Presidency’s approach of emphasizing four instruments (Qualification Directive, Dublin Regulation, Eurodac Regulation, Long-term Resident Directive). In terms of these, more substantial progress could be made in the short term. This work should be carried out in close cooperation with the European Parliament and the Commission who gave their support to the approach adopted by the Belgian Presidency.
Melchior Wathelet reiterated the need for genuine solidarity between Member Countries that supports the notion of accountability in the implementation of common mechanisms. Despite the questions raised by certain delegations, the Presidency wishes to find ways of putting this solidarity into effect.
Contact: Benoît Pitance (+32 (0)497 79 24 78)
