Fair sharing of the migration burden

Question for written answer  E-002004/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (Renew)

The ministers for the interior and migration of Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Malta issued a joint statement on 20 March 2021 in which they called on the European Union to guarantee a fair sharing of the migration burden between Member States. They also stressed the need for the future European Pact on Migration and Asylum to articulate real and effective cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

• 1.What is the Commission’s position with respect to the proposal put forward by these countries for a fair sharing of the migration burden?
• 2.Does the Commission agree that irregular migrants should be blocked in island territories which are the gateway to the mainland, as is currently happening in the Canary Islands?