Migration and Asylum Pact comes into force. Brunner: “For the first time, a comprehensive European approach”

Brussels – “This is the first time we have adopted such a comprehensive European approach to migration and asylum.” Today (12 June) the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, highlighted, with these words, the entry into force of the Migration and Asylum Pact. “We are moving from the political agreement to the practical phase of implementation,” added Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection of Cyprus—the country currently holding the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU—explaining that “a new chapter of common responsibility, concrete solidarity, and shared determination in the management of migration is opening.” The two spoke during a press conference in Nicosia (Cyprus), where the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union organised an informal ministerial meeting to “celebrate” the milestone.  

“Ten years ago, we took on a great deal of responsibility as the EU, but we had no rules, let alone a system,” recalled Brunner. He emphasised that the new framework has led to a reduction in illegal arrivals “of 55 per cent over the last two years,” “a 90 per cent drop over the last three years on the Western Balkans route,” and “a 67 per cent drop on the route linking Turkey to the Aegean islands in the first four months of 2026.” Lending a hand are the EU agencies (eu-LISA, Eurodac and Frontex), which were also present at today’s meeting. Their efforts “are necessary to ensure a more assertive migration diplomacy,” according to Brunner, who believes that a more resolute policy is “the next step” for the EU on migration and asylum. The priorities, he reiterated, “remain unchanged” and are: “Reducing illegal arrivals,” “combating human trafficking,” “protecting those in need whilst preventing abuse of the system,” and “promoting labour protection”. Not only that, the time has come for the EU to focus on its external dimension: “The Union has various partnerships with third countries, such as Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, and Mauritania,” but this is not enough, according to the Commissioner. “We must cooperate with Morocco” and “address the issue of the eastern corridor”, that is, the “main corridor that starts in Bangladesh and Pakistan, passes through the Gulf states, heads towards Egypt and then towards Libya, and from Libya towards the European Union.” The aim? Obviously, to reduce illegal arrivals. 

Some journalists asked the two politicians to comment on how the EU intends to ensure that fundamental human rights are respected in return centres. Brunner replied that “Member States are not obliged to set them up, but may agree to do so with third countries. The Commission will be able to assess compliance with safeguards, alongside monitoring by other international organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and/or the International Organisation for Migration. “Whether or not these safeguards are respected, human rights are non-negotiable.” However, no practical details were provided. 

Faced with criticism from human rights and/or migrant organisations, Ioannides dismissed these concerns as contrary to the entire EU initiative, emphasising the determination of Member States and the Commission “to establish rules to tackle this thorny issue” that the EU has been grappling with for years. “In 2015, the Union was described as unprepared, and we do not want that to happen again,” he said. That is why legislators have created “a comprehensive legal framework, so that we can tackle an.” Finally, the Commissioner gave assurances that “any issues that may arise in the coming weeks or months” would be identified. Because the aim is to be “determined to work together and move forward within an efficient legal framework, for the first time in the EU’s history.” But, once again, he did not provide a direct response to the criticism.