Published on •Updated
At last week’s Justice and Home Affairs Council, EU interior ministers and Commissioner Marcus Brunner decided to tighten migration rules, focusing on stricter border controls and faster returns. These priorities echoed those raised by the parties at the Munich Migration Conference on 26 September.
Member states introduced a European Return Order, a standardised form on which they would have to enter the key elements of a return decision. They want to give national authorities the information they need to recognise return decisions issued by other member states.
For now, mutual recognition of these decisions would remain voluntary, but the arrangement would be reassessed three years after the new rules enter into force. At that point, the Commission could table a legislative proposal to make mutual recognition mandatory.
A key part of the discussion was how to improve the EU’s response to sudden mass arrivals, after this summer’s events in Ceuta exposed weaknesses in its emergency systems. A new European Emergency Response Framework will help national authorities react more quickly when migratory pressure is high.
Ministers insisted on accelerating repatriations through so-called “return hubs”. These are facilities in non-EU countries where people without the right to remain are transferred until deportation. The “Group of Five”, including Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece, is leading efforts to reach agreements with third countries and have the first hubs operational in 2027.
Further measures include strengthening “migration diplomacy” with third countries to curb irregular migration before it reaches EU borders, as well as using new technologies to improve border protection. The €250 million Drone Action plan will receive an additional €130 million.
Do you want to know more about the EU’s plans to protect its borders? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot!