European Union leaders have concluded a summit in Brussels with a call to accelerate the deportation of failed asylum seekers. The leaders emphasized the need for “determined action” to facilitate and expedite returns from the EU, urging the European Commission to introduce new legislation urgently as a stalled Returns Directive has been awaiting progress in the European Parliament for six years.
In addition, leaders highlighted the importance of enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit to address root causes of migration and combat people smuggling. Some EU countries have already implemented bilateral agreements to manage migration, such as Italy’s arrangement with Albania for processing asylum applications on Albanian soil.
NGOs have criticized these agreements, citing human rights abuses and concerns about transparency. The leaders expressed solidarity with Poland in its decision to reject asylum claims from migrants crossing from Belarus, denouncing Belarus’s alleged manipulation of migration for political ends.
Support was voiced for advancing elements of the EU Migration Pact, with Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasizing the impact of EU migration policies on Ireland and the importance of implementing necessary legislation promptly.