EU member states say they aim to tighten the rules for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected and to process deportations more efficiently.

This is according to plans announced on Monday.

“Three in four irregular migrants who have been issued a return decision in the EU continue to stay here instead of returning home,” said Danish Immigration Minister Rasmus Stoklund, who chaired the talks.

“I believe the new set of rules can significantly help improve these numbers,” he added.

The agreement struck at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels will mean that people without the right to stay in the EU will, for the first time, be subject to new obligations, Mr Stoklund said.

Failed asylum seekers will face penalties if they fail to actively cooperate in the deportation process or to present identification documents immediately upon request.

Penalties can include reduced benefits, a longer entry ban, or, in some cases, imprisonment.

In addition, stricter rules are to apply to people who are categorised as a security risk.

The agreement also opens the way for migrant return centres in third countries.

Additionally, EU countries can, on a voluntary basis, recognise and enforce a deportation decision taken in another EU country without having to start the procedure of issuing a new return decision.

The details of the new rules are to be finalised in negotiations with the European Parliament.

However, no major changes are expected.

According to the EU Asylum Agency, the German authorities received 70,000 applications from new arrivals in the first half of the year.

This puts Germany in third place within the EU, behind France (78,000) and Spain (77,000).

(dpa/NAN)