European leaders agree to strengthen cooperation on migration management

BRUSSELS

European leaders agreed Thursday to enhance coordination on migration management during an informal meeting on the sidelines of the European Council, according to a statement by Italy.

The gathering, hosted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, brought together several EU member states committed to developing "innovative migration solutions."

Representatives from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Sweden, as well as the European Commission, joined discussions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined key priorities, calling for faster progress on negotiations regarding the Return Regulation and the establishment of a European list of safe countries of origin.

Meloni reaffirmed Italy's commitment to advancing new migration initiatives and briefed participants on efforts to ensure international conventions effectively address irregular migration.

She announced that officials from participating countries will convene Nov. 5 in Rome to continue their work.

Leaders agreed to maintain close coordination within the EU, the Council of Europe, and other international forums to promote a common European approach to managing migration flows in an orderly and effective manner.

EU's Migration and Asylum Pact is set to take full effect in June 2026, yet opposition to its implementation is already mounting in member states.

The pact seeks to establish a unified framework for asylum and migration management across the bloc. It includes faster asylum procedures, stricter border controls, and a system to share responsibility among member states through relocation or financial support.