COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings 3 March 2026

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● European Council   02/06/2026 13:11 | Statements and remarks | Remarks by President António Costa at the press conference following the meeting with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama   Thank you very much dear Edi, for your warm welcome to Tirana and for your hospitality. It’s always a pleasure for me to come here. And today I can only welcome and applaud Albania’s determination and efforts to become a member of the European Union – thanks in no small part, dear Edi, to your personal commitment to this process.  Last week’s Accession Conference confirmed your progress, as Albania has met the interim benchmarks on the first ‘fundamentals’ cluster. It is a clear recognition by the member states of Albania’s commitment to further advance on the path towards membership of the European Union. This marks the beginning of a demanding next phase in the process, focused on implementation and a solid track record. As you often say, these reforms, more than European Union’s conditions, are your choice to build strong democratic institutions in Albania. Continued, tangible political commitment to the rule of law and in safeguarding an independent and accountable judiciary are essential foundations for EU membership. I encourage you to step up the efforts in fighting corruption and organised crime. The European Union is the Western Balkans’, and Albania’s, most reliable partner, its main investor and trading partner. The European Union supports Albania’s prosperity and security through concrete projects and policies that benefit your citizens, for example: you have access to the Single Euro Payments Area; you are gradually integrating in the EU Single Market, the 'Roam Like at Home' and the DiscoverEU rail pass scheme. But EU membership is about more than access to the Single Market. It means joining a political Union built on common values and shared strategic choices. The European Union has forged lasting peace and stability for its member states through resilient democratic institutions and strong economic bonds. Enlargement offers those same opportunities to our neighbours in Europe – like Albania.  But in this time of global geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability, more than an opportunity, enlargement is also a geostrategic necessity for Europe. It is an investment in the peace, stability and security of our continent. For that reason, I am also looking forward to seeing you again very soon in the European Union-Western Balkans Summit this Friday in Tivat. The Summit will be a clear demonstration of our determination to bring forward our cooperation and build on the momentum of the European Union’s enlargement. Dear Edi, you have a tradition of introducing me to modern Albanian literature. I have already read Lea Ypi’s books, and Ismail Kadaré’s work is on my summer reading list. I am grateful for these recommendations, as they help me better understand Albania’s perspective and serve as a reminder that we share a long and common history. Today, we are not only reflecting on our shared history; we are also shaping a shared European future together.  Thank you.   Visit the website ● Council of the EU   01/06/2026 22:08 | Press release | Council and Parliament reach deal on returns of illegally staying third-country nationals   Today, the Council and the European Parliament negotiators clinched a provisional deal on an EU law, which will enable faster and more effective EU-wide procedures for the return of persons illegally staying in member states. The agreement complements the EU Pact on migration and asylum and will contribute to its effective implementation. The new rules impose obligations on third-country nationals who have no right to stay in member states to cooperate with the authorities. They also put in place tools for enhancing cooperation between member states and envisage the establishment of return hubs in countries outside the EU, while respecting fundamental rights. “The new regulation will speed up the return process and increase returns of persons who have no legal right to stay in the EU. Migration is a top priority for the Cyprus Presidency, and today’s landmark agreement strengthens the credibility of the EU’s migration policy and complements the EU Pact on migration and asylum, always in compliance with human rights. The swift conclusion of this file within a tight timeframe reflects the commitment of the institutions to establish a set of EU rules on effective returns as part of a holistic migration system.” — Nicholas Ioannides, Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus Obligations for those who are staying illegally The new regulation establishes strict obligations for persons who have no right to stay in the EU, notably the requirement to leave the member state concerned and to cooperate with national authorities. It also sets out consequences for persons who do not comply with the obligation to cooperate, such as reduced benefits and allowances granted in accordance with national law, or refusal to grant incentives to promote voluntary return. Where national law allows, member states may also impose criminal sanctions, including imprisonment. Return hubs in third countries The EU-wide rules will allow member states to establish return hubs in third countries for persons who have no right to stay in the member states. Such return hubs could serve either as the final destination or as transfer centres facilitating onward return to the country of origin or another third country. In this context, a ‘country of return’ can be a third country with which an agreement or arrangement has been concluded. Any such agreement or arrangement may only be concluded with a third country that respects international human rights standards and principles of international law, including the principle of non-refoulement. Unaccompanied minors are excluded from such agreements or arrangements. European return order and mutual recognition of return decisions The new regulation introduces a European Return Order (ERO), a form on which member states must insert the key elements of the return decision. This will facilitate mutual recognition in the future, as member states will have the necessary information to recognise another member state’s return decision. The mutual recognition of return decisions will remain voluntary for the time being and will be reassessed by three years after the entry into force of the regulation, when the Commission may table a legislative proposal to make mutual recognition mandatory. Return of people posing security risks The new regulation foresees special measures for individuals who pose a security risk. For instance, member states may issue an entry ban that exceeds the usual maximum period of ten years or even an indefinite entry ban for security cases, and they may also impose detention in prison. Next steps  This provisional agreement will now have to be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. It will then formally be adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision. The regulation will start being implemented immediately after the date of entry into force, the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal. However, a number of provisions will become applicable 12 months later. Background The European Commission tabled the regulation on establishing common rules for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU in March 2025, with the aim to complement the pact on migration and asylum, which will start being implemented as of 12 June 2026. Currently, 64% of Frontex supported returns have been voluntary, according to the latest data. Timeline EU Law Tracker Council clinches deal on EU law about returns of illegally staying third-country nationals (press release, 8 December 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

­ 03/03/2025 | MEETINGS  Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council of 4-5 June 2026 Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council of 4-5 June 2026 Visit the website

Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for Culture 02/06/2026 | Article Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for Culture The Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for Culture was held on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting focused on protecting cultural rights and heritage and on combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods.   Visit the website   More news about the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the EU