EU ministers: Asylum seekers cause for concern

BRUSSELS EU Interior ministers met today to discuss establishment of a mechanism for suspension of the visa liberalization with Serbia and Macedonia. This move is considered because of "the abuse of asylum rights", Tanjug reported. EU ministers: Asylum seekers cause for concern Some countries are very concerned, Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom told reporters before the beginning of the meeting, adding that it will also be discussed at the ministerial meeting in Tirana next week. Since the visas for countries of the Western Balkans were abolished, there have been over 15,000 requests for asylum that were clearly without basis, Sweden's Migration Minister Tobias Billstrom stated, stressing that the number of asylum seekers from Serbia in 2010 was higher than that from Somalia and Afghanistan. Billstrom noted that asylum was mostly requested by members of minorities, so a way should be found to improve their situation in their countries of origin. That was the use of the suspension mechanism could be avoided, he said, adding that it would be his message to the council of ministers on Thursday. Germany's Deputy Interior Minister Ole Schroeder said asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia were abusing the right to an asylum, since they were not persecuted in their countries. Germany can put Serbia and Macedonia on the list of safe countries, which would shorten the procedure and prevent asylum seekers to stay in Germany for months at a time at the government's expense, Schroeder remarked. The ministers adopted a series of measures at the start of the meeting defining conditions in which asylum seekers could be kept in custody. (Beta/AP) Tanjug

EU ministers: Asylum seekers cause for concern

Some countries are very concerned, Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom told reporters before the beginning of the meeting, adding that it will also be discussed at the ministerial meeting in Tirana next week.

Since the visas for countries of the Western Balkans were abolished, there have been over 15,000 requests for asylum that were clearly without basis, Sweden's Migration Minister Tobias Billstrom stated, stressing that the number of asylum seekers from Serbia in 2010 was higher than that from Somalia and Afghanistan.

Billstrom noted that asylum was mostly requested by members of minorities, so a way should be found to improve their situation in their countries of origin.

That was the use of the suspension mechanism could be avoided, he said, adding that it would be his message to the council of ministers on Thursday.

Germany's Deputy Interior Minister Ole Schroeder said asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia were abusing the right to an asylum, since they were not persecuted in their countries.

Germany can put Serbia and Macedonia on the list of safe countries, which would shorten the procedure and prevent asylum seekers to stay in Germany for months at a time at the government's expense, Schroeder remarked.

The ministers adopted a series of measures at the start of the meeting defining conditions in which asylum seekers could be kept in custody.