Nicosia: European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner announced that EU member states will not be obligated to set up return hubs under the new migration framework, emphasizing that these arrangements will be voluntary and subject to legal safeguards.

According to Anadolu Agency, Brunner spoke at a ministerial conference in Nicosia, revealing that the European Commission has laid the legal groundwork for return hubs through a proposed return regulation. This regulation enables EU countries to transfer individuals without legal residency rights to designated third countries. However, Brunner stressed that establishing such arrangements would be at the discretion of individual member states.

Brunner assured that the return regulation includes safeguards to ensure adherence to fundamental rights and international law, stating, "Human rights are non-negotiable, of course not." Agreements with third countries would need to be submitted to the European Commission for monitoring of these safeguards, and international organizations like the International Organization for Migration and the UN refugee agency would oversee their implementation.

His comments coincided with the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum coming into effect, following its adoption in May 2024. This pact overhauls the bloc's migration and asylum framework, setting a comprehensive approach to migration management. Brunner described it as a "milestone" for European migration policy, noting it provides rules that were previously absent and signifies "a huge change" in the bloc's migration strategy.

Brunner also highlighted the importance of enhancing the EU's external dimension and strengthening its leverage through visa policy, trade measures, and funding instruments. He mentioned an "ambitious initiative" targeting the eastern migration route from Bangladesh and Pakistan, through Gulf countries to Egypt and Libya, aimed at reducing irregular arrivals via increased engagement with countries along the route.