Latvia currently has no grounds for exemption from participation in the solidarity mechanism, through which the European Union (EU) hopes to reduce migration pressure on southern European countries, writes Ir.
Starting in June, the EU will begin implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum - a comprehensive package of legal acts designed to enhance the efficiency of the asylum system. One of the key elements of the pact is the establishment of an annual solidarity reserve to assist southern European countries that are experiencing the highest migration pressure.
In November, the European Commission presented a report on the situation regarding asylum and migration in EU countries and forecasts for the following year. EU countries in the report are divided into three categories - countries experiencing significant migration pressure, countries at risk of pressure, and countries with a significant migration situation. Latvia and Lithuania fall into the second group of countries, while Poland is in the third.
The assessment is primarily based on data from Eurostat and EU agencies regarding the number of migrants in relation to the population of the countries and GDP. The first category includes four countries - Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain.
The solidarity mechanism provides for three areas of action: the redistribution of asylum seekers to other countries, financial contributions, and alternative measures. Each country's contributions are calculated based on population size and GDP. For Latvia, the contribution this year will amount to €1.36 million, and it is planned that these funds will be used for providing alternative support measures.
However, Latvia believes that it already qualifies as a country with a significant migration situation and should be classified in the third category, which allows for exceptions. Kaspars Abolins, the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, acknowledges that the European Commission's response to such a request may be negative. At the same time, he notes that the pact allows for the possibility of reassessing the situation if it changes significantly.
