JAVIER ZARZALEJOS WELCOMES THE ADOPTION OF THE NEW EUROPEAN RETURNS REGULATION

On 7 October, Javier Zarzalejos, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), welcomed the adoption of the new European Returns Regulation. The legislation will help establish a more effective migration policy, with swift and safe return procedures while ensuring respect for fundamental rights.

Following the signing of the Regulation, which was attended by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Zarzalejos recalled the recent images of the migration crisis in Ceuta, which shocked the entire European Union, and criticised the Spanish Government for being the only Member State to vote against the Regulation. “We can and must have an effective migration policy, safe and swift returns and, at the same time, respect fundamental rights,” he said.

Finally, the EPP MEP argued that Spain needs a change in migration policy, stating that “that migration policy has a name: a government led by the People’s Party and Alberto Núñez Feijóo”. He called for an alternative combining effective migration controls, security and respect for fundamental rights.

the rule of law within the Union, “to ensure that Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death has not been in vain”.