EU asylum policy and emergency accommodation for asylum seekers
Air domes as a solution
It is beyond dispute that we want to help asylum seekers and that we have a duty to do so. However, the explosive rise in the number of asylum seekers, both men and women, presents a problem. Finding accommodation for them is becoming increasingly difficult and poses an extreme challenge for local authorities, towns and districts. We must assume that the influx of refugees will continue to grow and persist for years to come. In order to maintain a high level of acceptance and willingness to help within society – and not to jeopardise this – we believe it is important to offer solutions that are acceptable at a local level.
Therefore, in the Taxpayers’ Association’s view, all solutions that are standardised, can be replicated quickly and are suitable for long-term use (winter-proof and weather-proof) should be explored. In the interests of taxpayers, the associated costs must not be overlooked.
What has been happening to refugees in some European countries so far is often inhumane. As many countries are being overwhelmed by waves of refugees, they often act without a clear plan and shift the responsibility onto others. This puts a strain on solidarity within the EU. It is the refugees who suffer as a result. We must do everything in our power to change this!
The issue of refugees must finally be tackled at a European level – in a spirit of solidarity and, above all, in a structured and planned manner.
TAE concept outline for an asylum solution:
Development of an EU asylum standard
- Common standards and procedures for asylum in Europe, integrated into the relevant EU budgetary planning
– Registration and emergency accommodation (e.g. inflatable domes for up to 3,000 people) at the EU’s external borders
– EU-wide cost accounting for asylum (transparency)
– Fair distribution formula or cost reimbursement - Speeding up asylum procedures
– Thorough assessment of the situation in individual countries
– Kosovo and Albania, for example, are not unsafe countries, yet many asylum seekers come from these third countries, which are in fact safe. - The digital registration of asylum seekers,
e.g. using photographs, fingerprints, eye characteristics, etc., enables refugees to be registered unambiguously and prevents them from attempting to reapply elsewhere under a ‘new’ name in the event of their application being rejected.
Better integration
- Education programmes and support for refugees
- Economy (education and the workforce)
- Academic education (training, further education, e.g. to facilitate the recognition of qualifications)
Improving progress in third countries
- Youth development programmes in third countries – market-oriented and future-focused education and further training