Javier Zarzalejos, a Popular Party (PP) Member of the European Parliament (MEP), recently dismissed the idea of a "European ICE" as contrary to European Union (EU) objectives. He made these remarks during an interview with La Vanguardia, a prominent Barcelona newspaper, on Friday, 1 May. Zarzalejos chairs the European Parliament's Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
He defended the newly approved Returns Regulation, which allows for migrant deportation centres outside the European Union. "There is a fundamental framework of rights that will be respected," Zarzalejos stated. "All measures involving greater coercion on individuals undergoing a return procedure will be established with standards of respect for liberties and guarantees that, of course, have nothing to do with experiences in other countries." This regulation aims to streamline the return of irregular migrants.
New Returns Regulation Defended
The new Returns Regulation has generated debate across EU member states. It seeks to create a more unified approach to managing migration flows. The regulation includes provisions for establishing facilities in non-EU countries to process returns. This aspect has drawn both support and criticism from various political groups and human rights organisations.
Call for Legal Migration Pathways
Zarzalejos also stressed Europe's need for immigration. He clarified, "It is not about them not coming, but about how." He advocated for member states to advance and improve legal immigration pathways. He acknowledged the EU's limited competencies in this area. This perspective highlights a desire for controlled, legal migration rather than an outright ban. Such policies directly affect the many foreign residents and potential immigrants considering Barcelona and Catalonia as a home.
Orbán's Defeat and EU Values
The MEP celebrated the defeat of former Hungarian President Viktor Orbán. Zarzalejos asserted that the EU has regained "a very important asset now that there is an eastern front full of challenges." He also suggested Orbán's defeat should make those who see the EU as merely an "ATM" reflect. Zarzalejos reaffirmed the EU as a significant alliance of democratic states sharing common values. These values, he noted, must be respected across the entire Union territory.
These discussions on migration policy remain central to the European Parliament's agenda. They impact residents across Barcelona and Catalonia as the EU seeks to balance border control with human rights. Future developments in this area will shape the lives of many within the region.
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Originally published by Europa Press Barcelona. Read original article.
