Europe to regain control over its external borders

The European Parliament today approved the Migration Pact, a set of new laws to better control migration flows into Europe.

"We have successfully put an end to the political deadlock that has characterised migration for many years. Delivering on the new Migration Pact will allow us to regain control over our external borders and reduce the migration pressure on the EU," explained EPP Group MEP Tomas Tobé MEP, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the Migration Management Law.

“We have delivered a common European migration policy. To be able to show solidarity, we must restore order at our common borders. It is up to EU governments, not people smugglers, to decide who enters Europe. The new Pact will provide swift and fair procedures to distinguish between refugees and economic migrants, increase cooperation with third countries and ensure the efficient return of those who are not granted stay in the EU,” said Jeroen Lenaers MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on Home Affairs.

“We will now ensure that these rules are implemented responsibly. A functioning European migration and asylum system that stands ready for future challenges is within reach," concluded Lenaers.

The new laws will now have to be formally adopted by the Council in the coming weeks. Following this, Member States will have two years to implement the provisions of the Migration Pact before it enters into force.