Many people would no longer set off towards the European Union “if it is clear that it leads to a safe third country outside the EU within 48 hours,” explained Spahn.
The third country proposal forms the core of the migration concept in the draft of the new CDU policy program presented last Monday. The aim is “contractual agreements according to which refugees can receive an asylum procedure there and, if protection is granted, can remain safe there,” explained Spahn. “Rwanda would probably be willing to do that, and Ghana might be willing too.” Talks should also be held with Eastern European countries such as Georgia and Moldova.
The Geneva Refugee Convention does not say that protection from wartime persecution in the EU must be granted, emphasized Spahn. If it is ensured that those persecuted in third countries “get a safe place of protection, are well looked after there and can live without fear, then the goal of the Refugee Convention will be fulfilled.”
