Brussels: On Wednesday, the European Commission put forward a proposal to expedite certain elements of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum by implementing significant measures.
A key initiative involves the establishment of the first EU list of safe countries of origin, which includes India, Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.
In a statement, the European Commission noted, "Today, the Commission is advocating for the acceleration of specific components of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which was adopted last year and is set to take effect in June 2026."
The Commission aims to prioritize two critical aspects of the Asylum Procedure Regulation to assist Member States in processing asylum applications more swiftly and effectively, particularly for those claims that are likely to be deemed unfounded. Furthermore, to support this goal, the Commission intends to utilize a new feature of the Pact by creating an EU list of safe countries of origin, allowing for expedited processing of applications from nationals of these countries.
Additionally, the Commission stated, "We are also proposing the creation of an initial EU list of safe countries of origin. While some Member States already maintain their own national lists, an EU-wide list will enhance consistency in applying this concept, enabling Member States to handle asylum claims from nationals of listed countries through an accelerated procedure, based on the premise that their claims are unlikely to succeed. The proposed EU list will include Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia."
Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that numerous EU nations are facing a mounting backlog of asylum applications, making the acceleration of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum crucial.
Brunner stated, "Although we have just over a year until the Pact on Migration and Asylum is fully implemented, we should expedite our efforts wherever possible. Numerous Member States are currently experiencing a substantial backlog of asylum applications, making it crucial to take any measures now that can facilitate quicker asylum decisions. The provisions of the Pact regarding recognition rates and the application of the safe country of origin principle can assist Member States in processing claims more efficiently, while still guaranteeing that each asylum application undergoes a thorough individual assessment and is reviewed by national courts."
