Page 10 - bne_newspaper_June_16_2017

Central Europe
June 16, 2017 www.intellinews.com I Page 10
Brussels launches action against Visegrad states over migrant quotas
bne IntelliNews
The European Commission announced on June 13 that it has launched infringement proceedings against the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland over their refusal to take part in the EU’s migrant quota scheme.
The announcement was widely expected follow- ing media reports the previous day. The statement from the commission exhibits clear frustration with the Visegrad states for their refusal to help.
“Over the last months, the commission has re- peatedly called on those member states that have not yet relocated a single person, or that are not pledging to relocate, to do so,” the state- ment reads. “Regrettably, despite these repeated calls, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, in breach of their legal obligations... have not yet taken the necessary action.”
The action follows swiftly on warnings issued by the commission last week. Such surefootedness is at odds with the bloc’s modus operandi over the past couple of years, and extends the evidence that confidence in Brussels has been boosted by the French and Dutch election defeats for far- right, Eurosceptic populists.
That suggests the likes of the governments of Hungary and Poland face a far rougher ride over accusations that they are abusing the rule of law and democracy, and failing to accept the responsi- bilities of EU membership.
The renewed confidence is clear in the uncompro- mising language used in the statement. “When
it comes to relocation, let me be crystal clear: the implementation of the Council Decisions on relocation is a legal obligation, not a choice,” said Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.
With an election coming up in October, Prague said earlier this month that it would not accept any more refugees under the programme, which was pushed through the European Council in 2015 and seeks to distribute 160,000 refugees that are currently in frontline states such as Greece and Italy.
The move is at odds with comments made by
the European Commission president in Prague on June 9. Appearing at a press conference alongside Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, Jean-Claude Juncker praised the Czech Republic for taking on the responsibilities that come with EU membership.
The statement clearly refutes that view of Prague. The Visegrad states have reacted furiously to accusations throughout the migrant crisis that they happily accept a huge volume of funding from the EU, but are very unwilling to accept
the responsibilities of membership. It has
been suggested several times in the past that cooperation on migrant quotas should be linked to EU structural funds.
“We can only effectively manage migration in Eu- rope if we all work together in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility," European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said.