In the face of "thousands of migrants dying at sea, a million failed returns and our cities abandoned to decay and insecurity", ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini called for a U-turn in the Union’s asylum policy in a debate in which MEPs discussed necessary changes to EU legislation on the return of illegal migrants.

“Until now, the ‘no borders’ line of the left has been followed in Europe. I would say it is time to change that line,” he said. “It is time to govern immigration. Not everyone comes in, but only those who are truly persecuted, those whom we can welcome with dignity and the possibility of integration. To do this, we must deal with the migratory phenomenon before it reaches European territory,” Procaccini explained.

Among the measures he advocated was support for the countries of origin and transit of migrants, promoting their economic and social development. “Asking for help from democratic third countries like Albania is neither right-wing nor left-wing, it is simply common sense,” he said pointing to successful migration agreements with third countries, such as the one between Italy and Albania.

Defending the need for change in European migration policy against criticism from Socialist Group leader Iratxe García Pérez, who criticised asylum centres abroad, he said: “Mrs Pérez, externalisation is already in the new pact, it is the reason why a special economic fund has been created. And it is the reason why the new pact can be seen as a first small step in the right direction”.

“Addressing the migration issue outside Europe’s borders will prevent migrants from paying thousands of dollars to put their lives in the hands of smugglers. It prevents them from becoming a labour force for the mafia once they arrive. And it prevents a socialist chancellor from deciding to re-establish borders within the European Union. While German citizens are unaware of it, their taxes are financing the NGO ships that feed human trafficking in the Mediterranean”, he added.

Referring to the current migration policy, Procaccini said: “We certainly know that the one that has been practised so far, yours, has not worked”.

Procaccini’s speech reads in full:

Thank you, Ms President, five months ago, all the peoples of Europe sent two messages loud and clear: no more green eco-folly and no more illegal immigration. Those of us who truly believe in the word democracy, without having to write it in the name of the party or group, believe that we cannot betray the will of the people.

Until now, the ‘no borders’ line of the left has been followed in Europe. We have seen thousands of migrants die at sea, a million failed returns, and our cities abandoned to decay and insecurity. I would say it is time to change the line.

It is time to govern immigration. Not everyone enters, but only those who are truly persecuted, those whom we can welcome with dignity and the possibility of integration.

To do this, we must deal with the migratory phenomenon before it reaches European territory.

Mrs Pérez, externalisation is already in the new Pact, it is the reason why a special economic fund has been created. And it is the reason why the new pact can be seen as a first small step in the right direction.

Addressing the migration issue outside Europe’s borders will prevent migrants from paying thousands of dollars to put their lives in the hands of smugglers. It prevents them from becoming a labour force for the mafia once they arrive. And it prevents a socialist chancellor from deciding to re-establish borders within the European Union. While German citizens are unaware of it, their taxes are financing the NGO ships that feed human trafficking in the Mediterranean.

Helping the countries of origin and transit of migrants, promoting their economic and social development; asking democratic third countries like Albania for help is neither right-wing nor left-wing, it is simply common sense. And this is what Italy has started to do. With results that were unimaginable until recently. Even some socialist governments, such as the British or the Danish, have finally realised this.

To be honest, no one can know if and to what extent a new European immigration policy will work. We certainly know that the one practiced to date, yours, has not worked.