During the debate in the European Parliament on the extraordinary European summit on 9-10 February, focusing on migration, MEP Victor Negrescu pointed out that the populist right is exploiting the issue of migration in order to criticise the European Union and oppose Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, presenting false data on the flow of illegal migrants.

“The European Union may soon face a new migration crisis. Many member states are finding it difficult to combat traffickers and organised crime. We have also failed to provide the desired response in countries of origin and we have neighbouring countries that have turned migration into a business. Moreover, according to European Commission reports, there are too many Member States that do not even comply with what we have agreed together. It is interesting that some of the leaders of the countries that do not respect the existing provisions are the ones who are criticising the European Union in this respect. For example, the right-wing Chancellor of Austria, Mr. Nehammer, contradicts the European Commission and opposes Romania’s accession to the Schengen area on the basis of false data on migration and ignores its inability to manage the situation”, said MEP Victor Negrescu in the European Parliament plenary.

He went on to mention the Romanian authorities’ good management of over two million Ukrainian refugees transiting the territory of Romania. At the same time, he highlighted the need for increased support for migration management.

“In Romania, after being crossed by more than two million refugees with thousands remaining in our countries, we do not complain like the populist leaders. We act, we help people, we also support the country of origin. We are also investing a lot in border protection, but also in offering proper support to refugees. But we cannot ignore that help provided is too little. We have to do more. We have to act very precisely on this issue while at the same time caring about people” said the MEP.

In a plenary discussion with the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, MEPs presented their views on how to tackle the migration challenges Europe is facing.

MEPs wanted to witness results in the area of migration and asylum policy, after years of discussions between Member States in the context of increasing numbers of irregular arrivals, most of which do not meet the conditions to stay in the EU.

Some speakers called for more effective border protection, including fencing, which some would like to see financed out of European funds.

Several MEPs referred to the need to increase the rate of returns.

Noting that Europe’s aging population makes labour migration necessary, several MEPs called for legal channels of entry to the EU to be opened up. Finally, some pointed out that the EU’s response to the massive arrival of Ukrainian refugees following the war showed that a different approach is possible and that migration can also be seen as an opportunity.