Fast-track asylum centre launched at Berlin airport

A centre for EU asylum procedures opened at Berlin's international airport on Friday, coinciding with the introduction of new migration rules across the bloc. 

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt visited the facility on its first day of operation, saying he wanted to "make it clear that we are prepared."

The new centre is intended to process people who request asylum through an accelerated procedure after landing in the German capital. 

Anyone who is not granted protection should be able to be deported directly from the facility.

The accelerated border procedure, which was agreed at the EU level, applies only to people from countries of origin whose citizens rarely receive protection, those who have provided false information about their identity or people considered a security risk.

The centre has space for 40 asylum seekers in bunk beds.

EU: Germany must provide 237 beds

The reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) entered into force on Friday. 

Under the new requirements, Germany must provide 374 places nationwide for asylum seekers undergoing the new border procedures upon arrival in the EU. Further centres exist in Frankfurt and Munich, among other locations, with others in the planning stage.

The border procedures are intended to enable faster asylum decisions and more consistent deportations. People with little prospect of a positive asylum ruling in particular are to go through such an accelerated procedure, which has a maximum duration of 12 weeks.

Asked about German controls currently in place along its borders with other EU member states, Dobrindt said they were “a transitional system” and still necessary at present.