On 5 March, EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers met in Brussels to discuss voluntary returns, Schengen and security. The meeting was chaired by the Cypriot Deputy Minister for migration and international protection. The Commission was represented by Commissioner Magnus Brunner.
Under the Schengen Council, Ministers exchanged on the overall state of Schengen, focusing on incentivising returns. Many delegations welcomed the recent decrease in irregular border crossings, asylum applications, as well as secondary movements.
Commissioner Brunner pointed out that returns had increased in 2025, with voluntary returns representing a significant proportion and considered by many as the preferred option. Member States’ representatives highlighted the link between voluntary and forced returns, noting that the effectiveness of the system depends also on its credibility and on the consequences of non-compliance with return decisions.
Ministers exchanged views on the external dimension of migration, focusing on cooperation with transit countries as part of the EU’s “whole-of-route” approach, the role of Lebanon and Libya in the Eastern and Central Mediterranean route; and EU support to these countries. The Special Envoy for Ukrainians in the EU updated Ministers on the situation in Ukraine.
Several Member States expressed the need for an EU-wide coordinated response in the context of the new visa strategy. The Presidency acknowledged the importance of the topic and announced a technical meeting on this issue.
Ministers also exchanged on geopolitical developments in Syria and Iran in relation to EU internal security, with the participation of Europol and Frontex, the Schengen Associated Countries, the EEAS and the EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
On security policy, Ministers addressed the future of Europol, the adoption of Council Conclusions on the EU Drugs Strategic Framework, as well as the recently adopted EU Agenda on preventing and countering terrorism and the Commission’s proposal for a Directive on combating firearms trafficking. Ministers underscored Europol’s vital role in support of national law enforcement authorities and expressed support for expanding Europol’s capabilities in technologies such as AI.
The meeting ended with a presentation by the Commission on the state of play of the preparations for the entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, drawing attention to areas where more effort is necessary to ensure a smooth application of legal instruments.
The Presidency informed of its plan to organise a dedicated ministerial meeting on 11-12 June 2026, in Nicosia, to mark the start of the full entry into application of the instruments under the Pact.