The Council of the European Union on Friday adopted a decision placing Kosovo, along with Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia, on a common list of “safe countries of origin”.
According to a statement by the European Council, the new rules aim to introduce faster and more efficient procedures for people who are not entitled to protection in the EU.
Member States will be able to declare an asylum application inadmissible in three situations:
– if there is a link between the applicant and a third country (no longer a mandatory criterion),
– if the applicant has transited through a third country,
– if there is an agreement with a “safe third country” that can examine the application outside the territory of the EU.
The concept of “safe country of origin”
This concept allows member states to apply accelerated procedures, including processing applications at the border and in transit zones. A country is considered safe only if it meets high standards of protection and guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens.
The safe country status may be suspended in cases of:
– armed conflict,
– serious human rights violations,
– a sharp increase in the number of rejected asylum applications from that country.
Continuous monitoring and possibility of suspension
The European Commission will continuously monitor the situation in the countries concerned. If sufficient reasons are established, the Commission may suspend the safe country status — either completely or only for certain regions.
According to the Council, tens of thousands of people arrive in the EU every year and apply for asylum, even though they come from countries considered safe and where, according to available estimates, there is no systemic risk of persecution.
