COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Press material Monday, 08 December 2025

● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 13:07 | Press release | Council clinches deal on EU law about returns of illegally staying third-country nationals   Today the Council finalised its position on an EU law to speed up and simplify the procedures for the return of persons illegally staying in the member states. The regulation creates EU-wide procedures for their return, imposes obligations on those who have no right to stay and puts in place tools for cooperation between member states. It also enables member states to establish return hubs in third countries. “Three in four irregular migrants who have been issued a return decision in the EU, continue to stay here instead of returning home. I am delighted that we have agreed on a new EU return regulation. I believe the new set of rules significantly can help improve these numbers. For the first time illegally staying third country nationals will have obligations. And member states will have a much better toolbox – for instance it will be possible to detain for a longer period and entry bans will be longer.  On top of that today’s agreement will make it possible for both the European Union and one or more member states to make an arrangement or agreement with a third country on return hubs.” — Rasmus Stoklund, Minister for Immigration and Integration of Denmark The agreement between member states comes only six months after the European Council, on 26 June, called for efforts to facilitate, increase and accelerate returns to be intensified. Obligations for those who are staying illegally The return regulation will impose strict obligations on returnees – first and foremost to comply with the obligation to leave the territory of the member state in question and to cooperate with the authorities. Other obligations include remaining available to the authorities, providing them with an identity or travel document, providing their biometric data and not fraudulently opposing the return procedure. There will also be consequences when persons who have been ordered to return do not cooperate. Member states can decide to refuse or deduct certain benefits and allowances, refuse or withdraw work permits or impose criminal sanctions which, according to the Council position, should also include imprisonment. Enabling return hubs The regulation clarifies that ‘country of return’ can be a country with which there is an agreement or arrangement on the basis of which the person who has no right to stay in the member states is accepted. It also sets out conditions for creating these agreements or arrangements. They may, for instance, only be concluded with a third country where international human rights standards and principles of international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, are respected. They will furthermore contain procedures for the return of an illegally staying person, the conditions for their stay in the non-EU country and the consequences if the agreement or arrangement is not respected. Such return hubs can function both as centers for onward return towards the final country of return or as the final destination. Return of people posing security risks The regulation puts in place special measures for people who pose a security risk. They may, for instance, be issued an entry ban that exceeds the usual maximum period of ten years, or even an indefinite entry ban. Member states can also impose detention, including detention in prison. This detention period can also be longer than normally foreseen. Mutual recognition of return decisions Through the mutual recognition of return decisions, member states will be able to recognise and directly enforce a return decision issued by another member state to a person who should leave the territory of the member states without having to start the procedure of issuing a new return decision. This will send a strong message to illegally staying third country nationals that they cannot avoid return by absconding to another member state. The mutual recognition of another country's return decision is not yet mandatory. According to the Council position, the European Commission will assess the functioning of mutual recognition two years after the entry into application and will, as appropriate, put forward a legislative proposal to make it mandatory for all member states. European return order The return regulation will introduce a European return order (ERO), a form on which member states will have to insert the key elements of the return decision. Member states will have to insert the ERO in the Schengen Information System – the information-sharing system for security and border management in the EU. This will facilitate mutual recognition, as member states will possess the necessary information to recognise another member state’s return decision. If a person who has been ordered to leave the EU moves on to another member state, that country will be able to directly enforce the return decision issued by the first member state based on the ERO. Member states have decided that the European return order will be introduced within two years at the latest from the entry into force of the return regulation. Next steps The agreement reached today will serve as the basis for the Council to enter into negotiations with the European Parliament in order to agree on a final legal text. Background The Pact on Migration and Asylum, which was adopted in June 2024 and will start applying as of June 2026, deals with almost all aspects of migration and asylum policy, ranging from health and security screenings and reception conditions to asylum procedures and emergency measures. The proposal for common rules for returns complements the Pact and was presented by the European Commission in March 2025. Regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU, 5 December 2025 (general approach) EU migration and asylum policy (background information)   Visit the website

● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 12:01 | Media advisory | Press briefings - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy) of 15 December, and Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 11 and 12 December 2025   The press briefing ahead of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy (Energy) Council will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 14.00, followed by the press briefing ahead of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. These back-to-back and "off the record" press briefings will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person at the Europa building press room. To attend the event remotely, please use the link below to register and have the possibility to ask questions. Those who already registered for previous press events of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, or the  Agriculture and Fisheries Council do not need to do it again. Deadline for registration: Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at 13.00 Further instructions will be sent to all registered participants shortly after the deadline. Please note there will be a short logistical break to facilitate the smooth transition of attending journalists (in-person and remotely) between the two briefings. Registration page Media accreditation for journalists   Visit the website

● Council of the EU

08/12/2025 11:43 | Press release | European Defence Industry Programme: Council gives final approval   Today the Council has formally adopted the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), an instrument designed to boost the EU’s defence readiness by strengthening the competitiveness and responsiveness of the European Defence Technology Industrial Base (EDTIB). The adoption marks the final step in the legislative procedure and will enable the programme’s timely implementation. A strategic boost to EU defence EDIP is the cornerstone of the EU’s renewed commitment to bolster its defence readiness. It will strengthen the ability of member states to face current and future threats, enhance the competitiveness of the EDTIB, and ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products across the Union. The programme provides €1.5 billion in grants for the period 2025-2027. Out of this amount, €300 million are earmarked for a dedicated Ukraine Support Instrument, a pivotal and unique instrument aimed at modernising and supporting Ukraine’s defence industry and fostering its integration into the wider European defence industrial ecosystem. EDIP also allows for potential further budget reinforcements in the future, such as by voluntary financial contributions by member states or third parties. How it will work in practice Under the programme, the EU will fund: common procurement actions carried out by at least three countries (of which at least two must be member states), including for the establishment and maintenance of defence industrial readiness pools industrial reinforcement actions, consisting of activities to ramp-up the production capacity of critical defence products the launch of the European Defence Projects of Common Interest, collaborative industrial projects designed to contribute to the development of member states’ military capabilities critical for the security and defence interests of the Union supporting actions, including activities to increase interoperability and interchangeability, and activities to facilitate access to the defence market for SMEs, mid-caps and start-ups Developing a resilient European supply chain To safeguard and strengthen the EU defence industry, whilst still maintaining cooperation with likeminded international partners, the regulation adopted today contains a clause by which components originating outside the EU and associated countries (EEA states), as well as Ukraine for the Ukraine Support Instrument, should not exceed 35% of total component costs of the end product. No components may be sourced from non-associated countries that conflict with the EU’s or member states’ security and defence interests. Lastly, the regulation also establishes the first EU-level security of supply framework designed to reinforce defence supply-chain resilience and improve the EU’s ability to respond swiftly in times of crises. Next steps The regulation will be signed on 17 December 2025 and enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background On 5 March 2024, the Commission tabled a proposal for a regulation establishing EDIP. Endowed with a financial package of €1.5 billion for the period from 2025 to 2027, the proposal for EDIP is designed to build on existing programmes aimed at incentivising the common procurement of defence products (the EDIRPA Regulation) and the reinforcement of defence industry manufacturing capacities (the ASAP Regulation), giving them a longer-term and more structured perspective. On 25 November 2025, the European Parliament formally adopted the regulation, paving the way for its final approval by the Council today. Final EDIP text Council’s negotiating mandate on EDIP EDIP Proposal for a Regulation EDIP Factsheet European defence industry (background information) Security and defence (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 11:42 | Press release | Migration and asylum: Member states agree on solidarity pool   Today, the Council reached a political agreement on the establishment of the annual solidarity pool for 2026. The solidarity pool is one of the main elements of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum and provides effective support to those member states that are under migratory pressure. The Pact, when it starts applying from 12 June 2026, will make the European asylum system more effective. On the one hand, the Pact contains clear rules on responsibility for processing asylum applications. On the other hand, it aims at reducing illegal entry and provides for solidarity measures between member states to relieve the burden on those countries where most migrants arrive. In the long term, the Pact will help to reduce migration pressure on all member states. Solidarity needs for 2026 The solidarity needs for 2026 reflect the fact that the first annual migration management cycle will start being implemented as of 12 June 2026. The reference number for the solidarity pool 2026 is 21.000 relocations or other solidarity efforts or EUR 420 million financial contributions. Contributions During the meetings of the High-Level Solidarity Forum (which took place on 18 and 27 November 2025) member states pledged their solidarity contributions. There are three types of solidarity measures: relocations, financial contributions and alternative solidarity measures. It is for each member state to decide which type of solidarity measure it pledges, including the possibility to pledge a combination of different measures. Beneficiaries of solidarity Based on the assessment of quantitative and qualitative criteria set out in the Pact, the European Commission has concluded that Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain are under migratory pressure. These countries can benefit from the solidarity measures of the solidarity pool. Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia and Poland have been identified as facing a significant migratory situation due to the cumulative migratory pressure of the previous years. They have the possibility to request a full or partial deduction from their contributions to the solidarity pool. A group of countries considered to be at risk of migratory pressure will have priority access to the EU Migration Support Toolbox which includes assistance by EU agencies and support from EU funds. Next steps After today’s political agreement on the solidarity pool, the Council will still have to formally adopt the implementing decision. This will happen after legal scrubbing and translation before 31 December 2025. Background The solidarity mechanism was established by the asylum and migration management regulation which is one of the key pieces of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Pact will enter into application on 12 June 2026. The Pact consists of in total 10 EU laws that touch on all stages of asylum and migration management ranging from screening irregular migrants when they arrive at the EU border to determining which member state is responsible for handling an asylum application and cooperation and solidarity between member states. On 11 November 2025 the European Commission presented the first annual asylum and migration report (which is another deliverable of the Pact). It provides a comprehensive picture of the state of asylum, migration and reception systems in the EU and forms the basis for determining the migratory situation in member states. EU migration and asylum policy (background information)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 10:26 | Press release | Democratic Republic of the Congo: Council prolongs individual sanctions by another year   The Council today renewed its restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by another year, until 12 December 2026. Altogether, the EU autonomous restrictive measures related to human rights violations, electoral obstruction and for sustaining the armed conflict, instability, and insecurity in the DRC now apply to 31 persons and two entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states. The EU keeps developments in the DRC under constant review, and can decide to renew sanctions, and amend the list of targeted persons, entities and bodies based on developments on the ground. Background EU autonomous individual restrictive measures in view of the situation in the DRC were adopted by the Council for the first time in 2016 in response to serious human rights violations and the obstruction of the electoral process. On 5 December 2022, the designation criteria were widened to instances where persons, entities or bodies sustain, support or benefit from the armed conflict, instability or insecurity in the DRC. Restrictive measures cover also those inciting violence, or exploiting the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, including through the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources. On 25 January 2025, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued a statement on behalf of the EU expressing its deep concern at the latest escalation of the conflict in eastern DRC, and the consequent undermining of African-led efforts to reach a peaceful resolution. In the statement, the EU stressed it would consider all the tools at its disposal in order to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC. The 33 EU autonomous listings complement the current 53 UN listings adopted in view of the situation in the DRC.   Council Decision 2010/788/CFSP of 20 December 2010 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (consolidated list of sanctioned individuals and entities dated 17 Mach 2025) Democratic Republic of the Congo: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the latest escalation in eastern DRC, 25 January 2025 Democratic Republic of the Congo: EU lists further nine individuals and one entity (press release, 17 March 2025)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 10:05 | Press release | Asylum policy: Council pushes ahead with EU laws on safe countries of origin and safe third countries   Today, the Council agreed its position on two pieces of EU legislation that will strengthen the practical application of key safe country concepts in EU asylum rules. These new EU migration laws aim to put in place faster and more effective asylum procedures for those that should not receive protection within the EU. The new regulation revising the safe third country concept will expand the circumstances under which an asylum application can be rejected as inadmissable. The Council also completed an important piece of the 2024 Migration and Asylum Pact, by agreeing on the first ever common EU list of safe countries of origin, which will allow member states to deal with applications for international protection in an expedited manner. Reformed safe third country concept “We have a very high influx of irregular migrants, and our European countries are under pressure. Thousands are drowning in the Mediterranean Sea or are abused along the migratory routes, while human smugglers earn fortunes. This shows, that the current system creates unhealthy incentive structures and a strong pull-factor, which are hard to break. Denmark and a majority of EU member states have been advocating for asylum processing in safe third countries in order to remove the incentives to embark on dangerous journeys to the EU. I am happy that we - member states - have agreed on a general approach to the revision of the 'safe third country' concept, which allows member states to make agreements with safe third countries on asylum processing outside Europe.” — Rasmus Stoklund, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration The safe third country concept allows EU member states to reject an asylum application as inadmissible (i.e. without examining its substance) when asylum seekers could have sought and, if eligible, received international protection in a non-EU country that is considered safe for them. According to the updated rules on which the Council agreed, member states will be able to apply the safe third country concept on the basis of the following three options: there is a ‘connection’ between the asylum seeker and the third county. However, a connection will no longer be a mandatory criterion for using the safe third country concept the applicant has transited through the third country before reaching the EU there is an agreement or arrangement with a safe third country which ensures that a person’s asylum request will be examined in the non-EU country in question. Applying the safe third country concept on the basis of an agreement or arrangement is not possible in the case of unaccompanied minors An applicant who appeals against an inadmissibility decision based on the safe third country concept will no longer have an automatic right to remain in the EU for the duration of the appeal process, while the applicant’s right to request a court for the right to remain remains in place. EU list of safe countries of origin “Each year tens of thousands arrive to Europa and apply for asylum even though they depart from safe countries where there is generally no risk of persecution.  Today we agreed on the first ever EU list of safe countries of origin, which will help to create faster and more efficient asylum procedures and return of those without a need for protection. An important milestone for the EU’s asylum policy.” — Rasmus Stoklund, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration The safe country of origin concept allows member states to put in place a special system for the examination of applications for international protection. Under the 2024 asylum procedure regulation, adopted as part of the Asylum and Migration Pact, member states must apply an accelerated procedure for applicants from a safe country of origin and may carry it out at the border or in transit zones. The safe country of origin rules are based on the premise that applicants from such a country are presumed to have sufficient protection against the risk of persecution or serious violations of their fundamental rights. Non-EU countries can only be designated as safe countries of origin when they meet a high threshold of safety. The Council agreed that the following countries should be designated as safe countries of origin at EU level: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo*, Morocco and Tunisia. EU accession candidate countries are also designated as safe countries of origin at Union level, unless there is a situation of international or internal armed conflict in the country restrictive measures affecting fundamental rights and freedoms have been adopted or the proportion of positive decisions by member state authorities to the applicants from the country is higher than 20% The Council position makes clear that the Commission should monitor the situation in EU candidate countries and inform the member states when any of these exceptions apply or cease to apply. The Council also agreed to let the Commission suspend the designation of a safe country of origin at EU level for either the entire country or for only parts of its territory or population where duly justified. Member states will still be able to have their own national lists of safe countries of origin with additional non-EU countries other than those on the EU list. The Council also endorsed the Commission’s proposal to accelerate the implementation of certain provisions of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which before were scheduled for June 2026. Next steps The two agreements reached today allow the Council to enter into negotiations with the European Parliament to agree on a final legal text. Background Safe third country concept: The safe third country concept is already now part of the EU asylum and migration rulebook. Based on a review clause agreed under the Pact, the Commission had to review the current rules by June 2025 and table targeted amendments as appropriate. Safe country of origin: The asylum procedure regulation, part of the Migration and Asylum Pact, provides for the creation of an EU list of safe countries of origin. At the urging of many member states, the Commission proposed this list already before the Pact comes into force. * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. Regulation establishing a list of safe countries of origina at EU level, 27 November 2025 (general approach) Regulation as regards the application of the safe third country concept, 27 November 2025 (general approach)   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   08/12/2025 09:39 | Press release | Consumer and environmental protection: Council approves the detergents and surfactants regulation   The Council has today given its final approval to the detergents and surfactants regulation. The new legislation will make it easier to sell those products across the EU market while protecting human health and the environment. It will also simplify information for consumers and clarify labelling requirements for companies.  The new regulation updates the rules to cover the latest innovation (microorganisms in cleaning products) and encourage sustainable new practices like the refill sale of detergents, as well as to introduce digital labelling and the digital product passport for detergents and surfactants. The regulation improves the safety and environmental requirements, the information displayed on labels, market surveillance (in particular for imports) and transparency for authorities, health systems and poison centres. Animal testing in the production of detergents will be forbidden. Next steps The approval of the first-reading position is the last step in the adoption process at Council level. The text still needs to be approved in a plenary session of the European Parliament. The new rules will apply three and a half years after the entry into force of the regulation. Background Even though detergents deliver health and hygiene benefits in our daily life, they are chemicals with intrinsic properties that may pose some risks to human health and the environment. A legislative act of 2004, (‘the Detergents Regulation’) lays down the rules that detergents need to comply with to be placed on the EU market. The Commission’s proposal of April 2023 addressed certain shortcomings of the existing legislation and overlaps between the Detergents Regulation and other pieces of EU chemicals legislation that led to duplications in labelling requirements and impede the effective communication of safety and use information to consumers. The detergents industry accounted for 4.2% of the production value of the total chemicals sector in 2018, with a market value of €41.2 billion (in 2020). The manufacturing of products for the whole market, which includes both consumer and professional products, involves around 700 separate production sites. Commission’s proposal Council’s general agreement / negotiating mandate Competitiveness and industry (background information) Circular economy (background information)   Visit the website