- What can the EU do? -

The EU has developed a common migration policy laying down the conditions of entry and residence and determining rights and duties of migrants who enter and reside legally in a Member State for purposes of employment, study or family reunification. A common European asylum system should ensure the harmonisation of the national reception standards and grant people fleeing persecution or serious harm in their own country adequate protection across the Union.

EU’s migration and asylum policy is, however, currently being exposed to a stress test. In response to the migrant crisis, the EU has adopted a number of measures, such as resettlement and relocation schemes and establishment of ‘hotspots’ helping to reduce the pressure on the most affected Member States and to ensure effective return and readmission for those who do not qualify for international protection. It is now up to the Member States to implement the measures accordingly.