Switzerland joins calls for European asylum overhaul

Switzerland has signed a joint declaration with other countries in the Schengen zone to reform the Dublin rules that govern asylum. At a meeting of Schengen interior ministers in Brussels, Swiss Justice Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said that only a third of migrants are being transferred to the relevant Dublin state. She told the meeting on Thursday that this poor rate of transfers is weakening the credibility of the system. The joint declaration, which was also signed by other countries including Germany, France and Austria, endorsed a roadmap set out last November. The proposed new measures include screening and rapid asylum procedures at borders. Ministers also agreed to the principle of a solidarity mechanism to relive the burden on countries that are particularly burdened by asylum seekers. Baume-Schneider also wants all countries to coordinate visa policies for people from third countries to avoid too many visa exemptions. The poor functioning of the system has...