Poland opposes new EU deal on reform of migration system

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Poland expressed its opposition to the new EU deal aimed at reforming the migration system, according to a media report on Friday.

Deputy Interior Minister Bartosz Grodecki, who represented the country at the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council that resulted in the agreement, said "Such a decision should be discussed in the European Council, where unanimity exists," public broadcaster Polish Radio reported.

Particularly regarding the provision that imposes a €20,000 ($21,500) fine for each refugee a member state declines to accept, he emphasized that solidarity should be voluntary.

“If it is obligatory, we can’t talk about solidarity,” Grodecki said, adding "After such an effort to accept the Ukrainians, they want us to inform the Poles that they are to pay €20,000 each for refugees in other countries?”

He argued that the package does not effectively address the migration problem.

On June 8, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU announced that ministers from the member states agreed on a general approach on the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation and the Asylum Procedure Regulation during a Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.

Poland, along with Hungary voted against the proposals, while Bulgaria, Malta, Lithuania, and Slovakia abstained.