Representatives of EU countries and the European Parliament reached an agreement early this morning on new rules allowing the bloc's countries to deport asylum seekers to "safe third countries", DPA reported.
The agreement will make it possible for an asylum seeker to be sent to a non-EU country if it is deemed safe; a prerequisite for this would be, for example, if there is an agreement or arrangement between the third country and the EU country.
Previously, asylum seekers were required to have some connection with that country, such as family ties or a long stay there in the past.
This would allow asylum seekers to be deported to countries they have never been to and with which they have no family, cultural or other ties. However, at the request of EU countries, an exception will continue to be made for unaccompanied minors - a necessary condition for deportation will continue to be that they have some connection with the country in question.
Before it can enter into force, the agreement must be formally approved, which is usually a formality, as negotiators have already agreed on a compromise.
Yesterday, the EP cleared the way for the negotiations after voting in favour with a majority, mainly from the right. The support came mostly from centre-right and more right-wing MPs.
The issue of the requirement for a personal or legal connection with the third country was discussed last year in the framework of the negotiations for the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
In the end, it was decided that the connection would remain a mandatory condition, but that after a certain period of time this could be changed.
"Thousands of migrants are drowning in the Mediterranean or are victims of crimes by smugglers who make a lot of money on their behalf," said Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stocklund. "It is crucial that we put a spoke in the wheel of this unhealthy and inhumane system."