H European Commission presented one today joint implementation plan for the Compact on Migration and Asylumwhich determines the key milestones to ensure that all member states have the legal and operational capabilities required to successfully launch, implementing the new legislation until his middle 2026.

As he points out, the Commission’s pursuit with the Member States is a two-way approach, accompanying the legislative work at EU level with operational activities. This includes in particular work on the external dimension of migration, through the pursuit of integrated partnerships with partner countries. Although actions in this area are not linked to legal obligations, it will be important for the EU to continue and further intensify cooperation with partner countries, in particular in three key areas: Combating migrant smuggling, effective return, readmission and reintegration as well as legal avenues.

The vice-president for the promotion of the European way of life, Margaritis Schinas, said: “Today we are presenting a work plan for the next two years to help make the Pact on Migration and Asylum a reality on the ground. This is further evidence of the Commission’s determination to spare no effort to ensure that Member States have all the expertise, operational and financial support they need to implement legal commitments. Not all Member States start from the same point, but together we will cross the finish line.”

The Common Implementation Plan provides a template for National Plans and groups work into 10 building blocks to focus and facilitate practical implementation efforts. All building blocks are fundamentally interdependent and must be implemented in parallel.

The 10 building blocks:

1. One common immigration and asylum information system; (Eurodac): supporting and enabling Member States to operationalize the new solidarity and liability rules. The new Eurodac is the large-scale IT system that will store and process data on asylum seekers. The timely development and operation of the reformed Eurodac system is a critical condition for the implementation of all other elements of the Pact.

2. One new immigration management system at the EU’s external borders: managing the arrival of third-country nationals and establishing fast and efficient procedures for asylum and return, as well as strong safeguards. All irregular migrants will be registered and their identity, security risk, vulnerability and health will be checked. In a second stage, a mandatory border procedure will be implemented for those who likely do not need international protection or present a security risk.

3.Ensuring an adequate host standard of living for applicants in relation to the predicted needs. The Reception Conditions Directive has new tools for added flexibility, efficiency and prevention of secondary movements. For example, for beneficiaries of international protection there is earlier access to the labor market (6 months instead of 9 months), physical and mental care and more protection for families, children and vulnerable applicants.

4. Fair, efficient and convergent asylum procedures: the Asylum Procedure Regulation and the Preselection Regulation streamline the assessment and decision-making process for individual asylum applications across Europe and strengthen guarantees, rights and guarantees for applicants and beneficiaries of international protection.

5. Efficient and fair return procedures: EU immigration policy can only be sustainable if those who have no right to remain in the EU are effectively returned. Voluntary returns, together with reintegration, are the most sustainable and dignified way of making returns and should continue to are preferred.

6. A fair and efficient system: making the new rules of responsibility work: by establishing effective and stable sharing of responsibility across the Union and reducing incentives for secondary movements is one of the top priorities of the Pact and a key element in building trust between Member States.

7. Let solidarity work: for the first time, the EU has a permanent, legally bindingbut flexible solidarity mechanism to ensure that no Member State is left alone when under pressure.

8. Preparedness, emergency planning and crisis response: contributing to building greater resilience to the evolution of migration situations, as well as reducing the risks of crisis situations.

9. New guarantees for asylum seekers and vulnerable people: increased monitoring of fundamental rights, ensuring effective procedures while protecting human dignity and a genuine and effective right to asylum, including for the most vulnerable, such as children.

10. Resettlement, inclusion and inclusion: the intensification of efforts in these areas by the Member States for the inclusion and integration of immigrants remain essential for a successful immigration and asylum policy.

“Today is a key step towards the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. The legal foundations of the new fair and efficient immigration management system are in place. Now we need to give the necessary time and support to Member States to implement it and make it operational. The Commission will ensure that no Member State is left alone, we will be there to support and ensure that we reach full implementation,” said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson.

The Joint Implementation Plan will be presented to the Justice and Home Affairs Council this week and will then be used as a basis for the preparation of Member States’ National Implementation Plans, which are expected to be completed by December 2024. The Commission has set up special teams support who will be touring all capitals between now and the autumn to help Member States draw up these National Implementation Plans. In addition, EU agencies will also provide targeted support to Member States throughout this process.

The Commission will closely monitor the progress made with the implementation of the Pact and report regularly to the EP and the Council.