"I have just informed the EU Commission that I want an opt-out of intra-European migration for the Netherlands. We need to be back in charge of our own asylum policy!" Faber said in a post on social media platform X on Wednesday.
In a letter to the European Commission, Faber outlined the government's intention to regain control over national asylum policies, the Xinhua news agency reported.
"This government intends to drastically reduce the volume of immigration to the Netherlands in order to continue to fulfill our constitutional duties of healthcare and education," she wrote.
The letter also said that the Dutch government will officially request this opt-out once the EU treaty is amended. However, Faber emphasized that until such a provision is in force, the Netherlands will prioritize the rapid implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, considering it "essential to increase European control over migration and limit the influx of migrants to the Netherlands". "
The European Commission confirmed receipt of Faber's letter, but downplayed the likelihood of an opt-out in the near future.
A commission spokesperson emphasized that the current EU asylum rules remain binding on the Netherlands and reiterated that any changes would require amendments to the treaty, a process that would need unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states.
"We do not expect the EU Treaty to change anytime soon," the spokesperson added.
The Dutch government's push for a reform of asylum policy is part of its broader political agenda, which was presented last week. Under the plan, the government will legally activate an emergency law as soon as possible by declaring an asylum crisis.
This law, if passed, would allow the government to take immediate steps to limit the influx of asylum seekers without waiting for approval from the House of Representatives or the Senate, although legislative bodies would review the law later.
In a letter to the European Commission, Faber outlined the government's intention to regain control over national asylum policies, the Xinhua news agency reported.
"This government intends to drastically reduce the volume of immigration to the Netherlands in order to continue to fulfill our constitutional duties of healthcare and education," she wrote.
The letter also said that the Dutch government will officially request this opt-out once the EU treaty is amended. However, Faber emphasized that until such a provision is in force, the Netherlands will prioritize the rapid implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, considering it "essential to increase European control over migration and limit the influx of migrants to the Netherlands". "
The European Commission confirmed receipt of Faber's letter, but downplayed the likelihood of an opt-out in the near future.
A commission spokesperson emphasized that the current EU asylum rules remain binding on the Netherlands and reiterated that any changes would require amendments to the treaty, a process that would need unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states.
"We do not expect the EU Treaty to change anytime soon," the spokesperson added.
The Dutch government's push for a reform of asylum policy is part of its broader political agenda, which was presented last week. Under the plan, the government will legally activate an emergency law as soon as possible by declaring an asylum crisis.
This law, if passed, would allow the government to take immediate steps to limit the influx of asylum seekers without waiting for approval from the House of Representatives or the Senate, although legislative bodies would review the law later.
