Berlin and Warsaw have reached a tentative resolution in a contentious dispute over the responsibility for three Somali asylum seekers, with Poland now accepting responsibility for one of the individuals, according to reports confirmed by a spokesperson for the German Federal Interior Ministry. The move, while seemingly procedural, highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in EU asylum governance and the complex interplay between national sovereignty and international obligations.
The individual, one of two male applicants at the center of the disagreement, is now slated for deportation to Poland following a rejection of his asylum application by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf). A spokesperson confirmed that the Polish asylum authority formally approved Germany’s request for a transfer in October 2025, initiating the Dublin procedure.
The case reveals a fragmented approach to asylum processing within the EU’s Dublin system – a mechanism designed to determine which member state is responsible for examining an asylum application. While Poland has conceded responsibility in this instance, it has previously refused to accept another male applicant and a female asylum seeker from Somalia, despite protests from Bamf. This selective acceptance underscores the political considerations influencing Poland’s stance.
Knut Abraham, the CDU’s coordinator for German-Polish relations, hailed the shift as “more of this” emphasizing the importance of successful collaboration. His statement, while ostensibly positive, functions as a quiet pressure for greater Polish commitment to shared responsibilities within the EU’s migration framework. The underlying implicit critique is clear: Poland’s previous refusals had strained bilateral relations and reflected a broader reluctance to fulfill commitments stemming from the Dublin III Regulation.
The incident occurs in the lead-up to German-Polish government consultations scheduled for December 1st. The agenda for these consultations, reportedly being coordinated between the Chancellery, Foreign Office and other ministries, is expected to involve further discussion of migration policy and the implementation of the Dublin system – a key factor in fostering a more equitable distribution of asylum claims across member states and safeguarding future collaboration. The willingness to assume responsibility, however limited, remains a test of the enduring nature of the German-Polish partnership in a climate of increasing political scrutiny regarding migration burdens.