Rome, 11 December (LaPresse) – The new EU regulation on safe countries and repatriation ‘resolves 99% of all the legal uncertainties that existed previously, especially regarding the concept of a safe country and the authority to determine this condition’. This was stated by the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, speaking at Atreju at the end of the debate on justice reform. When asked whether the new rules apply to those who already have an expulsion order, Nordio replied: ‘It is a situation that will have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, not least because it involved a series of discussions that need to be explored in depth, but in general terms I can certainly say that it is a milestone towards resolving the problem that had created so much uncertainty.’ 'The concept of a safe country followed criteria that were open to various interpretations. In some rulings, I criticised the fact that they did not explain on a case-by-case basis why that country was considered safe or unsafe. Today, the fact that the power to define a country as safe is devolved to this body, which has already drawn up a list that is therefore binding on our judges, will render any other interpretation more or less superfluous," concluded the Minister of Justice.
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