Greece has called on the European Union to permit member states to temporarily suspend asylum procedures when confronted with mass migration surges, arguing that existing regulations are inadequate for emergency situations. The proposal was formally submitted to EU interior ministers during a Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.

This push comes amid concerns that the EU's recently improved migration pact, which took effect in June, still lacks sufficient mechanisms to effectively manage large-scale influxes. The Greek government believes that enhanced border surveillance and the ability to halt asylum processing are necessary responses to such crises.

Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris stated that while the new pact has improved overall migration flow management, it falls short in emergency scenarios. He advocated for the suspension of asylum applications in these specific circumstances, alongside intensified border surveillance. The proposal appeared to garner support from several member states.

Dutch Migration Minister Bart van den Brink indicated his country's backing for the approach, suggesting that incidents like the significant migrant arrivals in Spain's Ceuta enclave should be primarily addressed as border management challenges rather than solely as asylum matters. Spain reported over 72,000 migrant entries into Ceuta in late July, with approximately 10,000 remaining.

The call for stricter measures is partly fueled by persistent anti-immigration sentiment across Europe, which has been a significant political factor since 2015. That year, over a million migrants, many fleeing conflict in Syria, arrived in the bloc, leading to increased support for nationalist parties and a shift towards more restrictive border policies.

Despite a reported 35 percent decrease in irregular arrivals this year and an 8 percent rise in returns in the first half of the year, several EU nations feel the current pact is insufficient for emergencies. This sentiment echoes a recent announcement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who indicated the commission would develop an emergency framework to aid member states facing sudden, large-scale arrivals.

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner acknowledged the need for border protection but stressed that international law and fundamental rights must be upheld. He stated that when migration movements are "engineered and weaponised," they become a security issue, but assured that compliance with fundamental rights would remain paramount.

Ministers also approved a new regulation concerning returns, indicating a broader effort within the EU to manage migration flows and border security more effectively, though the debate on handling emergency surges continues.