The thesis introduces the concept of ‘imagined harmonization’, which has influenced the perspective on forming the European migration and asylum legislations. ‘Imagined harmonization’ indicates the...Show moreThe thesis introduces the concept of ‘imagined harmonization’, which has influenced the perspective on forming the European migration and asylum legislations. ‘Imagined harmonization’ indicates the difference between the supranational willingness to complete the Common European Asylum System, making sure that all the member states’ asylum systems are identical, and the member states’ own political agendas, competences, and sovereignty, which make it impossible to achieve this harmonization. This then shows the weakness of the Common European Asylum System, which is not that ‘common’ at all. Real progress on reforming CEAS only had been made, once the European Commission acknowledged the disparities in the European asylum systems and the inability to harmonize the standards and procedures amidst what is known as the ‘migration crisis’, which refers to the situation of exceptional migratory pressure since 2015. This then led the Commission to let go of the idea of harmonization and create a new set of proposals that would set the foundation of a new European migration and asylum system, which would balance out solidarity and responsibility. However, the domestic political pressure of the member states and the contrasting issues they face because of the crisis, make negotiating difficult. That is why my research is focused on the question: ‘To what extent have Member States influenced the development of the reform of the Dublin system?’Show less
Nowadays, European countries are facing the most severe refugee issue since World War II. After the break out of the Syrian civil war, a large number of refugees fled to Europe, seeking protection...Show moreNowadays, European countries are facing the most severe refugee issue since World War II. After the break out of the Syrian civil war, a large number of refugees fled to Europe, seeking protection and stability. As an ongoing international phenomenon, the issue of Syrian refugees has become an urgent problem in need of solving. The European Union has a responsibility to take action and deal with the issue, and one way is through helping newly arrived asylum seekers to settle down. Although the European Parliament and European Commission started in 2015 to launch the resettlement plan (along with various other initiatives to deal with the issue of refugees,) it seems to be difficult for Member States to implement a standard procedure, and no effective unitary measures have been taken so far. Ever since 1997 when the Dublin Regulation came into force, the European Union has been aiming to develop a set of common policies for asylum seekers, and to harmonize the process and procedures. However, previous studies and real situation revealed that neither the Dublin Regulation nor CEAS (Common European Asylum System) could be properly implemented by Member States as planned. In spite of the fact that the European Union has proposed several revisions and amendments since 1997, the main problems remain unsolved, and Member States still struggle to reach an agreement on fair and equal common asylum procedures. This thesis will discuss the topic through a comparison of Germany and Hungary from different aspects on the national level. I hope to identify and explain the reasons why Member States responded differently to the issue of Syrian refugees under the same asylum system and common EU law.Show less