Germany to pave way for controversial part of EU asylum reform

Berlin is ready to agree to a new compromise proposal for how to regulate migration to the European Union in times of crisis.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Thursday that the controversial measures were a sticking point in a sweeping migration reform that has been in the works in the bloc for years.

Faeser told her EU counterparts that Germany was willing to vote in favour of the compromise, in spite of some lingering concerns.

Germany has repeatedly called for better protection of families under the crisis provision.

“We’re going to continue to push for this,” Faeser said, addressing fellow EU ministers.

The crisis regulation would apply in the event of a particularly large influx of migrants to the EU.

The provision provides for longer deadlines for the registration of asylum applications at the EU’s external borders, as well as the possibility of lowering standards for accommodation and care.

dpa/NAN