EU to reveal asylum pact demanding all member states share burden of migrant numbers

New Pact on Migration and Asylum is intended to relieve the pressure on European Union’s border countries at

A man drags his belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp walk towards a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

Refugees and migrants who were sheltered near the destroyed Moria camp, carry their belongings as they prepare to move to a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

Refugees and migrants who were sheltered near the destroyed Moria camp, carry their belongings as they prepare to move to a new temporary camp, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Reuters

An aerial view of the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece, Another 2,000 refugees and migrants were settled into the new temporary hosting facility at Kara Tepe. EPA

An aerial view of the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece, 18 September 2020. Another 2,000 refugees and migrants were settled into the new temporary hosting facility at Kara Tepe. EPA

Asylum seekers wait with their belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp wait to enter into the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece. EPA

Asylum seekers wait in a line with their belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp wait to enter into the new temporary camp near Kara Tepe on Lesbos island, Greece. EPA

All European Union member states should share the burden of asylum seekers to stop countries on the front line being overwhelmed by migrant arrivals, Brussels is expected to propose on Wednesday.

The new migration policy will demand all EU countries show solidarity with front line states – often Greece, Italy or Malta –  when they are "under pressure" from arrivals.

The New Pact on Migration and Asylum will be revealed by the EU’s home affairs chief Ylva Johansson.

The policy is expected to include plans to strengthen border security and return failed asylum seekers, as requested by countries such as Hungary and Poland.

"It's obvious to everybody that ad hoc solidarity or voluntary solidarity is not enough. That has been proven for many years now," Ms Johansson said. "It has to be mandatory."

However, the proposal may prove tough to pass through the legislative process, with Austria's chancellor Sebastian Kurz warning the EU against forcing states to take in asylum seekers.

"We find that the distribution in Europe (of asylum seekers) has failed and many states reject this. It won't work like this," he said.

Before the presentation of the pact, the UN’s refugee agency said the current approach to migration was untenable and in need of change.

“The Pact presents the opportunity for Europe to show that it can uphold the fundamental right to asylum, while co-operating on pragmatic policies to identify those in need of international protection and share responsibility for them,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

“We will welcome genuine efforts to ensure a fast, fair and effective protection regime in Europe, and pledge our full support and expertise to the European Commission and Member States in making it a reality.”

In 2015, more than 1 million refugees and migrants arrived in Europe.