Tolga Bozoglu / EPA
Three out of every four irregular migrants who have been issued with a return decision in the EU continue to remain in the European space — a situation that the new rules aim to correct.
This Friday comes into force in all Member States of the European Union, Pact on Migration and Asylum. Adopted in May 2024, the pact reshapes the European framework on migration and asylum, becoming the central element of the EU’s new approach.
“Migrations are a European challenge which must be faced with a European solution. A solution that is effective, fair and firm. This is what the Pact on Migration and Asylum provides: safer external borders, solidarity between Member States and more efficient procedures in matters of asylum and return”, said the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“To jointly address the causes of migration, we continue to strengthen our relationships with global partners,” he added.
The measure is accompanied by more assertive migration diplomacy, technologically advanced border protection mechanisms, including the full implementation of the Entry and Exit Systemand by new rules designed to make return processes faster and more effective, as provided for in European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy.
According to , the new approach is already producing significant results. Brussels indicates that illegal crossings of the EU’s external borders decreased by 55% compared to two years ago, when the transition period began.
The pact also provides for mandatory registration and security checks for all irregular migrants who enter EU territory illegally.
They also become mandatory identity, security and health controls before entering the European space, to be carried out within a maximum period of seven days, or three days when the migrant is already within the European Union. Biometric databases will be strengthened, allowing new identification elements to be collected and security alerts to be issued to detect individuals associated with terrorism.
“The fundamental pillars of the new system are already in place. The implementation of this set of reforms will require, however, a significant legal and operational work. Member States will continue to adapt and improve the new procedures in the coming months, with continued support from the Commission and EU agencies”, assured the European Commission in a statement
The Commission adds that it will continue, together with Member States, to strengthen its migration diplomacy instruments and cooperate with countries of origin and transit.
