Charles Michel says the EU “should not be afraid” of measures to manage migratory pressure
The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, states that the transition work from his leadership to his successor, António Costa, who takes office in December, “is going well”, describing the former Portuguese prime minister as “very experienced”.
“The transition system is, in fact, working well. I also had this experience five years ago, after my appointment […]when I had a few months to prepare and coordinate with my predecessor and, this time, we followed the same approach”, says Charles Michel in an interview with Lusa and other European news agencies as part of the European Newsroom project, in Brussels.
About a month before leaving office and then being succeeded in the leadership of the institution by the former Portuguese prime minister, the person in charge reinforces that the handover of portfolios is “going very well”, especially because António Costa and his team ” They participate directly in all the preparations for the European Council meetings, even before December, when the Portuguese politician takes office.
Asked about possible recommendations, Charles Michel guarantees that he does not need to “give advice to António Costa”, given that “he has a lot of experience at national and European level”.
As for his professional future, when he leaves the European Council after other political positions, the official states that he will only mention it “after the end of his mandate”.
Former Belgian Prime Minister, liberal politician Charles Michel, aged 48, presided over the European Council for two terms from December 2019 until November 30, 2024, and will be succeeded in the position by António Costa from December 1 .
Managing migratory pressure
Charles Michel argues that the European Union “should not be afraid” of finding new instruments to manage migratory pressure, as long as they respect international law, when external centers for migrants are discussed.
“About the centers in Albania or elsewhere, these are not new ideas and have been considered for some years […] and there is now a domestic debate in Italy that I don’t want to interfere in, but […] in fact we should not be afraid to look for operational ways, concrete ways, of being more effective in terms of managing migration, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, ensuring that this is in accordance with international law”, says Charles Michel .
The person responsible emphasizes that “it is not all black or white, it is necessary to take into account the different realities”, as well as the “conditions regarding proportionality and time limitations”. “I’m not saying that what exists in Albania is good or bad, it depends on how the principles of international law are respected”, he emphasizes.
The statements come a week after reception centers for asylum seekers from outside the European Union (EU) began operating in Albania, following a controversial agreement with Italy.
Despite other Member States (such as Hungary and Slovakia) defending the multiplication of these centers outside the EU, an Italian court invalidated the retention in Albania of migrants who had been considered suitable and ordered their return to Italy, in a decision that the Italian government will appeal.
The European Commission expressed doubts about the legality of the agreement signed between Rome and Tirana in November last year, but ended up considering that the protocol does not violate Community law and, in a letter sent a few days ago to EU leaders, the president of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen, defended identical centers in other third countries.
In this interview, Charles Michel admits that migration is “a collective challenge” for the EU, but says he observes “greater convergence” between countries in the fight against illegal immigration and the creation of more legal pathways, particularly due to European demographic and economic needs. .
Michel also says he is “in favor of greater European coordination on the concept of a safe country” outside the EU to welcome migrants.
This is a sensitive debate in the EU given the different points of view and the different contexts of the Member States in migratory management, which aims to combat illegal immigration, reinforce the returns of people in this situation and improve legal integration pathways.
A week ago, a European summit dedicated to the topic was held in Brussels, without reaching an agreement on new measures.
In May, the EU adopted a new pact on asylum and immigration, which will only come into force in 2026 given the necessary period of adaptation for the national legislation of the 27 Member States.
Portugal defends a consensual stance in the EU in the face of new pressures, taking into account geopolitical tensions, as long as it respects international law and safeguards regular migration channels.
