EU Parliament urges common list of 'safe countries'

(AGI) Brussels, Aug 26 - The European Parliament is insisting on the need for a common list of "safe countries of origin", places where the situation does not warrant the concession of asylum rights to applicants who migrate to Europe. The draft report on an EU Regulation on the so-called 'safe countries' will be discussed and voted at the next plenary session in Strasbourg. Compared to the original proposal by the European Commission, the European Parliament is asking for a common list that would eliminate the need for national lists of safe countries of origin which, Euro MPs say, would ensure the "optimal harmonisation" of the EU's asylum procedures. In another amendment to the Commission's text, it proposes that for every Third Country on the common list of safe countries there must be "an efficient EU return policy with readmission agreements that must be complied with fully for EU aid to be sent to those countries." (AGI). .