Asylum, horizon-scaning, the EC and Berlusconi

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This month the current rotating EU presidency (Sweden) and the EU's permanent civil service, the European Commission, will bring forward proposals to advance the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The crisis along the southern edge of the EU will be used to generate a need for momentum.
See http://euobserver.com/22/28577 (25-8-09)
Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece are protesting that they are unfairly receiving an excessive number of asylum applicants accross the mediterannean sea. The UNHCR estimates the number in 2008 at 67,000. The Italian government has called for 'obligatory burden sharing' accross the EU. It seems we are supposed to feel sympathy for their plight (that of Spain and Italy, you understand) and offer to take 'our share' of the applicants to these countries.

Comment: This principle is bogus. The EU and more specifically Ireland should not begin the Quixotic task of compensating Member States for the disadvantages and vicissitudes of their location or geography.

Ireland should support the principle of assessing unfounded asylum claimants as close as possible to their arrival point in the EU, and sending them back as quickly as is humane; and generally making the experience as unrewarding as possible.
Ireland should support the efforts Italy is making to repatriate the unsuccessful more effectively. In May this year Italy and Libya concluded a repatriation agreement, no thanks to the EC, which some have already credited with reducing risk-taking behaviour on the Mediterranean Sea. This is the way ahead.
Thank you Mr Berlusconi.

See also euobserver.com on 1-9-09 http://euobserver.com/22/28577- for a rare public reproof of overweening Commissioners.