Informal Meeting of Interior and Migration Ministers – Focus on Return Policy and Third Countries

According to the Danish Minister of Immigration, a clear priority of the country’s Presidency is to achieve a final agreement in the Council on migration, return policy, and cooperation with third countries, while the responsible Commissioner acknowledges that the circumstances require “effective and swift management of migration”.

These are conclusions that emerged from the informal meeting of the Ministers of Interior and Migration of the European Union, which took place in Copenhagen.

The European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, emphasized the need for a more functional migration system. He stated, “Regarding migration, we are moving forward with the reform of the asylum and migration system, based on the Pact on ‘Asylum and Migration.’

Already in the first months of the new Commission, we are proposing the missing pieces. The Pact serves as a solid foundation, but there are still gaps, such as the regulation on returns, the revision of the concept of safe third countries, and the list of safe countries of origin. All of these are necessary to shape a more functional migration system.”

At the same time, he highlighted the importance of the external dimension and the need for closer cooperation with third countries, as well as the increase in funding as included in the next seven-year period of the EU, for the management of migration and the protection of its external borders, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to support the presidency in these specific areas.

Finally, in addressing the need to combat organized and cross-border crime, emphasizing the strengthening of cooperation both within the European Union and with third countries, the Danish Minister of Justice, Peter Hummelgaard, referred to his own assessment of the informal Summit. (22/7/25)