Member states need to hurry up with preparations for the migration pact

BRUSSELS (ANP) – Progress is being made at a technical level, but “sustainable political engagement” and “own responsibility at the national level” remain essential, the Commission writes in a progress report published on Wednesday.

The asylum and migration pact was adopted just over a year ago. One of its components is that all countries must have special locations for the implementation of the so-called border procedure. In that procedure, it is assessed whether migrants have little or no chance of asylum, or must be returned immediately. Migrants must wait for those procedures in locations at or near the external border.

No member state has designated a location for this, according to the report. If this does not happen soon, the Commission fears that the locations will not be ready in time.

An independent mechanism must also be established to oversee compliance with fundamental rights. This has not yet been arranged.

The Commission is also concerned about the preparations for the first screening of asylum seekers. There are still too few places designated where this can take place. Sufficient staff must also be trained, and the technical infrastructure must be arranged to access relevant EU databases.

(June 11, 2025)