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Refugees on arrival at the port of Arguineguin on Gran Canaria
Photo: Angel Medina G / EPA-EFE / REX
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has expressed concern about the dramatic arrival figures of migrants in the Canary Islands.
The fact that so many people set out on the "deadliest" refugee route proves the need for reform of asylum and migration policy, the Swede told the dpa news agency in Brussels.
On the Canary Islands, which belong to Spain, the number of arriving migrants has recently increased significantly.
Since the beginning of the year, almost 14,000 migrants have come across the Atlantic from Africa in open boats - around seven times as many as in the same period last year.
Last two weeks ago, 140 people drowned while trying to reach the Canary Islands.
EU interior ministers discuss reform of asylum law
On the ground, it is now important that those who have no right to international protection are effectively returned, said Johansson.
At the same time, the right to asylum must be preserved.
With a view to the corona crisis, basic health standards must be observed for both those arriving and the local population.
In September Johansson proposed a reform of the EU asylum and migration policy that had been blocked for years.
With a view to the Canary Islands, she emphasized above all an effective return of rejected asylum seekers and a closer partnership with the countries of transit and origin of the migrants.
This could prevent people from making their way to Europe.
People smugglers and their networks must also be combated.
In addition, the other EU states would have to support polluted countries and thus enable asylum seekers to be accommodated in dignity.
This Friday, the EU interior ministers will discuss the reform plans.
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mrc / dpa