(ANSA) – ROME, AUG 20 – Finland on Thursday became the fourth country to send migrants back to Italy under the EU’s new Immigration and Asylum pact, formerly the Dublin rules, that dictates asylum seekers must be processed in the country of entry into the bloc. Germany, Austria and Switzerland, which is not in the EU but subscribes to the pact, had previously sent some migrants back to Rome. “We believe that the

entry into force of the EU regulation on asylum and migration management allows the resumption of transfers to Italy. These transfers are currently being prepared,” the Finnish Interior Ministry press office told ANSA. For Finland, it said, “it is important that the rules on responsibility for examining asylum applications are applied as intended, and that all EU member states fulfill their obligations under the pact. It is crucial for Finland that the rules on accountability for examining asylum applications are applied as intended and that all EU Member States fulfill their obligations under the Pact,” the Interior Ministry press office emphasized. “For our part,” it continued, “we remain committed to ensuring the effective implementation of accountability procedures. “We have continued our cooperation and dialogue with Italy over the years,” the statement went on. “We believe that the entry into force of the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) allows for the resumption of transfers to Italy, and such transfers are currently being prepared,” it concluded. (ANSA).