The European Parliament in April 2024 adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy as agreed with EU member states. Five separate EU regulations, establishe&nbsp;how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving.

Following the deal in trilogue in December 2023 ,&nbsp;EP President Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States. That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable &nbsp;

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention.&nbsp; The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Migration

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

EP Plenary session - Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package

Press conference on Migration Pact files

Press conference on the outcome of the migration trilogue

Trilogue on Migration

European Council: - Press Conference

Plenary Session - Breach of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the use of minors by the Moroccan authorities in the migratory crisis in Ceuta

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 2)

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 1)

This news items shows extracts from the Parliament's debate on the topic "Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns". MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: extracts from the debate

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed. Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva JOHANSSON opens the debate amongst the MEPs on preventing security threats by combating illegal migration and effective return. In the wake of a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, on MEPs discuss how to address the unauthorised movements of third country nationals within the EU. The plenary debate follows the German government’s announcement that reintroduces border controls on all its land borders for an initial six-month period. This internal security decision is intended to improve the detection of unauthorised attempts by third country nationals to enter Germany.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: extracts from the debate

Closing statements on the need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return. After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs are discussing how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries. MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

MEPs debate on the need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return. After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs are discussing how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries. MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: MEPs debate (part 2)

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: MEPs debate (part 1)

Opening statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, on the need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return. After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs are discussing how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries. MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return: Opening statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

5th topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. Leaders debate on the implementation of common Migration and Asylum policies during the next mandate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 5: Migration and Borders

EP President Roberta METSOLA, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO and EC President Ursula VON DER LEYEN speak to the press following the votes on the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission following the votes on the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules

MEPs vote on the following topics: Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure implementing the parliamentary reform “Parliament 2024”; Common procedure for international protection in the Union; Addressing situations of crisis in the field of migration and asylum; Asylum and migration management; Establishing a return border procedure, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1148; Screening of third country nationals at the external borders; European Criminal Records Information System - Third Country Nationals; Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints for the effective application of Regulation (EU) No 604/2013; Union Resettlement Framework; Standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection; and Standards for the reception of applicants for international protection.

Voting Session: Migration and Asylum package

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life, Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR), Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE), Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI), and Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteurs

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: Closing statements by Rapporteurs and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Second part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 2)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 1)

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. Opening statements by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR), Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA (ECR, ES), Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE), Matjaž NEMEC (S&D, SI), Sophia IN 'T VELD (Renew, NL), rapporteurs, and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: Opening statements by Rapporteurs

The European Parliament give its final green light to the reform of the EU’s Asylum and Migration Pact. The new rules will ensure responsibility sharing among member states in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. This news item includes extracts from debate, from the final votes, and from press point with the EU Council Presidency, and the Presidents of the European Parliament and Commission.

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