The process of creating and
operating "hotspot" centres for identifying and processing
migrants and asylum seekers in Italy and Greece is improving,
according to the draft conclusions of the Feb 18-19 European
Council summit seen by ANSA on Tuesday.
"With the help of the EU, the creation and functioning of
hotspots in Italy and Greece is gradually improving in terms of
identification, registration and the taking of digital
fingerprints," the draft conclusion reads.
The draft added "a lot remains to be done" to improve
migrant reception centers, where asylum seekers are held pending
resolution of their claims for protection.
The draft says that all Schengen Area countries with
external borders must refuse entry to third-country citizens who
"do not satisfy the entry prerequisites or who have not made an
asylum claim despite having had the opportunity to do so".
It says that while the flow of migrants from Turkey remains
too high, Turkey has made "important steps" forward in granting
refugees access to the labour market, and in sharing data with
the EU.
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