A Christian delegation led by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) General Secretary Dr Torsten Moritz met with Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration. The meeting held on 14 February was the occasion to discuss the plans for the upcoming European Commission “pact on migration and asylum”. 

The delegation represents a cooperation platform of currently 11 Europe wide Christian organisations working together on asylum and migration policy.

All participants agreed that discussions on asylum and migration in Europe should become less agitated and focus more on migration as a normal phenomenon. Participants also had a consensus on tackling racism. A critique was shared as to how EU Turkey statement was not a helpful tool contributing to the dramatic situation in the Greek islands. The delegation strongly urged a greater responsibility for Search and Rescue.

The delegation expressed concern about the increasing externalisation of asylum and the criminalisation of humanitarian help to migrants, irrespective of their residence status. Participants agreed to continue discussions, in particular on the establishment of safe passages including sponsorship agreements, as with the humanitarian corridors in Belgium, France and Italy.