“The Council’s work on the Joint EU Resettlement Programme will be a priority for the Presidency, and we hope to have broad and strong support for this among the Member States and the European Parliament.

 

“The programme is a positive first step for the EU to get more Member States involved in resettlement and to increase the number of people who are brought to Europe for resettlement. With common priorities and joint efforts the resettlement instrument can be used more strategically to help solve refugee situations throughout the world.”

 

 

 

According to the Commission’s proposal, the main aim of a Joint EU Resettlement Programme is to 1) show greater solidarity with third countries concerning the reception of refugees; 2) involve more Member States in resettlement activities; and 3) provide orderly and secure protection for those being resettled.

 

Under the proposal, participation in the programme will be voluntary. The Commission also proposes that common annual priorities be established through a special mechanism, and that financial support be obtained from the European Refugee Fund for the Member States that resettle refugees in accordance with the established priorities.