The Belgian authorities are seeing a significant increase in asylum applications from Moldovan citizens, especially after 2020, fueled by false expectations and abuses of the asylum system. On a visit to Chisinau, Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt spoke in an interview with IPN about measures to discourage unjustified migration and cooperation with the Chisinau authorities.
The visit to Moldova is part of a wider effort to discourage asylum applications from Eastern European countries. Moldova is classified as a safe country of origin. What is the rationale for this campaign in Chisinau, and what is it aimed at?
First of all, I am here to reinforce the good cooperation we already have with Moldova. Also, to help, where possible, with the European accession that Moldova is considering, and also to discuss some of the problems that we see.
And what do we see in Belgium? From 2020, we see a big increase in asylum applications from people from Moldova.
Moldova is seen as a safe country of origin in Belgium, so if you apply for asylum in Belgium, you are not likely to get it. That is why we want to discourage people from Moldova from coming to Belgium to apply for asylum.
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Until five years ago, asylum applications from Moldovans were a rarity. What influenced the change?
First, there was the COVID pandemic, followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. And since that period, we have seen an increase in the number of people from the Republic of Moldova, especially from the Roma community, seeking asylum in Belgium.
The situation is fueled by some false expectations that having shelter in Belgium will get you money if you return to Moldova. We see that as a factor that makes Belgium more attractive to potential asylum seekers. So we will stop giving money to those who return to Moldova in order to stop this influx of people coming from Moldova to Belgium to seek asylum.
Some asylum seekers only come for the winter. What are the mechanisms for identifying this type of behavior, and how do they influence the assessment process of asylum seekers?
It is true, we notice this increase especially during the cold months. Every year, about 1000 Moldovans, mainly from the Roma community, come to Belgium to apply for asylum. We want to stop the abuses. That is why we are stopping allowances, so that Belgium is no longer a place where people come to get money.
We will implement the fast-track procedure for people from Moldova because there is no chance for them to get asylum in Belgium. We are asking for our services to have more operational procedures so that people get out of the shelter much faster and return to Moldova.
How can the right to asylum be respected for those who really need protection?
Each case will be decided on an individual basis, but since Moldova is a safe country of origin, in recent years, no one has been granted asylum in Belgium from Moldova.
What do you expect from the Moldovan authorities in terms of cooperation to reduce unjustified asylum applications?
We have already had the first discussions, and I really appreciate the good cooperation we have. But I think there are issues where we can cooperate even better.
For example, we had very good and constructive discussions with the Border Police. To raise awareness among Moldovans, and especially within the Roma community, we can work together to inform potential asylum seekers that there is no point in going to Belgium because they will not be accepted and they will not get the money they are counting on.
What is your message to citizens who are considering applying for asylum in Belgium?
I would tell these people not to risk traveling with their family, with their children, to come to Belgium, because they will not get asylum in Belgium. You risk ending up on the street, you will not get money to return to Moldova, and you have no chance of getting asylum in Belgium. So, do not come to Belgium to apply for asylum.