EU Calls for Stricter Migration Returns

At the 29th Economist Roundtable on Tuesday, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and Greece’s new Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris emphasized the need for more effective asylum procedures, stronger return mechanisms, and better coordination among EU member states on migration, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonia

Brunner highlighted that migration and security are top priorities for the European Commission. He praised Greece’s border efforts and stressed the importance of distinguishing between illegal migration, asylum seekers, and legal migrants—vital to Europe's aging economy. “We must decide who comes to Europe, not the traffickers,” he said.

Ahead of the 2026 implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, Brunner pointed out that one in five migrants in the EU are undocumented and must be returned. He noted upcoming talks with both Libyan governments and floated the idea of “return hubs” modeled after the Albania agreement.

Minister Plevris, speaking on his first day in office, underlined Greece’s “strict but fair” migration stance. He argued for faster asylum processes and penalties for rejected applicants who remain illegally, including potential criminal sanctions. A new bill addressing illegal migration is expected to be submitted to Parliament soon.

Plevris also called for an EU-wide “central returns” system and a reevaluation of benefits for those denied asylum. While he acknowledged legal migration's role, he cautioned it is not a comprehensive solution to Europe's demographic or labor challenges.