Germany Seeks Fair Migration Responsibility Deal with Greece and Italy Amid Dublin System Failings

Migrants continue to face difficult conditions in Germany as they wait for processing at centers such as the one in Eisenhüttenstadt, Brandenburg. Germany is grappling with the challenges posed by the dysfunctional Dublin Regulation system, which is designed to return asylum seekers to their first country of entry within the European Union. Despite numerous migrants entering Germany illegally, very few are being returned to countries like Greece and Italy, which are primarily responsible under the current rules.

To address this imbalance, the German government is initiating negotiations with Greece and Italy to promote stricter adherence to the Dublin rules. Germany’s approach includes offering concessions or forms of relief to these southern EU countries to encourage cooperation and burden sharing. This proposal represents what German officials describe as a “form of solidarity,” aiming to restore functionality to the European migration system and fairly distribute responsibilities.

The Dublin Regulation has long been criticized for placing disproportionate pressure on frontline EU states like Greece and Italy, which receive large numbers of migrants entering the EU via Mediterranean routes. Germany’s willingness to engage in cooperative agreements signals an effort to alleviate these pressures while maintaining an orderly asylum procedure.

By seeking a collaborative framework, Germany hopes to enforce compliance with migration regulations across member states and prevent unilateral migration movements within Europe. The proposed deal could mark a step toward solidarity and shared responsibility in managing irregular migration flows under the troubled Dublin system.