Third-country asylum processes remain under scrutiny by Faeser, though other pressing matters claim attention.
Discussion happened last Thursday with the Minister-Presidents and Minister-Presidentesses, alongside Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), focusing on advancements in already agreed-upon legislative initiatives concerning immigration policies. Scholz stressed, upon the request of union-led states, the need for further examination of asylum processes in foreign countries. Expectations for results are set for December.
Faeser commented that collaboration with third countries may serve as another piece in the migration policy puzzle. However, he noted their impact won't be as substantial as the EU asylum system in reducing refugee numbers. This notion was backed by previous experiences of Italy and Britain with outsourcing models. Italy's arrangement with Albania deals with 3000 asylum applicants, while Britain's partnership with Rwanda handles 6000.
Currently, the federal government has no intention of discussing outsourcing asylum procedures with countries beyond the EU. Steffen Hebestreit, the government spokesperson, explained this would be a subsequent step. First, an agreement must be reached with the federal states to establish if such an approach is practical. Only then can the federal government consider approaching potential nations.
Faeser insisted on swift implementation of the already agreed-upon reform of the European asylum system. He views this as crucial for limiting immigration, controlling borders, providing robust protection for EU external borders, and achieving a fairer distribution within Europe — the key to suppressing illegal immigration.
Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) conveys plans to visit Tirana, Albania, in August to gain firsthand knowledge. While the Italian model can't be directly replicated, he believes ways and means must be found. Herrmann also encourages the Foreign Office to take a more active role in assessing the situation in Syria and questioning the possibility of returns to Syria.
The Federal Interior Ministry consulted numerous experts on asylum processes in foreign countries prior to the Bund-Länder-Treffen. Their insights mainly revolved around Britain's plans for asylum procedures in eastern African Rwanda and Italy's agreement on asylum procedures in Albania. The majority of experts expressed doubt about the transferability of these models to Germany, citing significant legal and practical obstacles.
Saarland's Minister-President Anke Rehlinger (SPD) expressed considerable skepticism towards outsourcing immigration to third countries, as did other Social Democrat-led states. "Given the current expert opinions, I don't see how such a solution could be legally and factually viable," she said on Friday. "But it's worth revisiting."
Faeser revealed ongoing confidential negotiations with numerous countries regarding the deportation of rejected asylum seekers. He emphasized the importance of consistently deporting dangerous offenders, Islamist extremists, and bigots. New expulsion orders are to be created for efficient deportations.
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1.faeser believes that collaboration with third countries, such as Italy and Britain, could contribute to the EU's migration policy by addressing some aspects of the refugee crisis.2.During the discussion with the Minister-Presidents and Minister-Presidentesses, Faeser highlighted the EU's asylum system as a more significant tool than outsourcing deals with third countries in reducing refugee numbers.3.Under the Italian model, the country is currently handling 3000 asylum applicants through its agreement with Albania, while the UK is managing 6000 asylum seekers with its partnership with Rwanda.4.Hebestreit mentioned that the federal government would consider engaging with potential third countries for asylum procedures only after reaching an agreement with the federal states on its practicality.5.Faeser advocated for the swift implementation of the EU asylum system reform, emphasizing its importance in limiting immigration, securing EU borders, and ensuring a fairer distribution of migrants within Europe.6.Herrmann suggested visiting Tirana, Albania, to gain insights and determine ways to adapt the Italian model to Germany's situation, despite the significant legal and practical obstacles that experts have identified.7.Rehlinger, along with other Social Democrat-led states, expressed considerable skepticism towards the viability of outsourcing immigration to third countries based on expert opinions, but agreed to revisit the idea in the future.8.Faeser is currently in confidential negotiations with numerous foreign countries regarding the deportation of rejected asylum seekers, focusing on removing dangerous offenders, Islamist extremists, and bigots from Germany.9.Scholz emphasized the need for the Federal Chancellor's Office to examine further asylum processes in third countries, especially in light of the potential for partnerships with countries like Albania and Rwanda.10.The Federal Interior Ministry consulted experts about asylum procedures in foreign countries, such as those between Britain and Rwanda and Italy and Albania, and identified numerous legal and practical obstacles that would need to be addressed before implementing such models in Germany.
