German Bundestag adds Moldova and Georgia to the list of safe countries
The German Bundestag adopted a bill adding Georgia and the Republic of Moldova to the list of so-called safe countries whose citizens' applications can be examined within an accelerated and simplified procedure, writes DW. The bill in question was passed on Thursday, November 16, with a large majority, with only the Left Party voting against.
The document still has to go through the chamber of federal states - the Bundesrat. If approved, asylum seekers from the two Eastern European countries could be refused more easily.
The German Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, welcomed the designation of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia as safe countries, calling it "an important step in the direction of reducing illegal migration".
Faeser said that Georgia and the Republic of Moldova account for more than 10% of rejected asylum applications, while only less than 0.3% of these applications are approved. “Overall, there is no threat of political persecution in any of these countries. By recognizing these states as safe countries of origin, we can significantly speed up the asylum application process and reduce the burden on local authorities and courts," said the German interior minister.
