The objective is to have a comprehensive approach to controlling migration in the long term, all the way until 2050. This requires getting to the root of the problem in Africa and in the Middle East and strengthening the role of redeployment as an important tool in solving it. It is important to focus on preventative measures in regions of origin and transit to decrease illegal immigration at the outer borders of the European Union.

It is also important to estimate what the content and the role of common asylum and immigration policy will be in the next decades. For the future of Europe, another significant question is how the citizens and Member States will see this whole complex of issues and what kind of an effect these factors will have within and between the Member States.

Immigration and asylum policy from the point of view of the coming decades 

Migration flow pressures and how to affect them

What’s the role of the common asylum policy for the EU and for its future?

Chair: Ms Riikka Purra Chair of the Administration Committee

9.00 – 9.45 Presentations by

Mr Henrik Nielsen, Head of Unit for Asylum, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission

Mr Ola Henrikson, Regional Director of IOM’s Regional Office for the EU, Norway and Switzerland.

Mr Ilkka Salmi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Interior

9.45 – 11.00 Exchange of views

11.00 – 11.30 Family photo & coffee break

11.30 – 13.45 Session II – EU Approach on Migration and Asylum - from Policy to Practice

As of yet, there is no truly common asylum procedure in the European Union. As a result of the events of 2015, the Commission has suggested the creation of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Some of the central goals of today and the near future include creating a common and binding asylum policy and implementing it consistently, developing a return policy and carrying it out effectively. It is essential to have clear regulations on how to choose the country in charge of handling the asylum applications and to implement an effective and durable mechanism to support the country under migratory pressure. Other important issues include granting international protection to those in actual need and returning rejected asylum-seekers to their countries of origin.

From Tampere to Helsinki in 20 years – has the EU attained a common asylum system? (Theory and practice)

The current state of working for CEAS. How to achieve results?

Divided opinions in the political fields of the EU member countries

Chair: Riikka Purra, Chair of the Administration Committee

11.30 – 12.15 Presentations by:

Mr Jamil Addou, Principal Head of Department, EASO

Mr Markku Hassinen, Rear Admiral, Chief of Operations 

Ms Jaana Vuorio, Director General, Finnish Immigration Service

12.15 – 13.45 Exchange of views

13.45 – 14.00 Closing remarks by Ms. Riikka Purra, Chair of the Administration Committee