Overview
- Member states endorsed a binding EU list of safe origin countries that includes Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Kosovo, Colombia, Bangladesh and India, with individual assessments still required.
- Criteria for declaring safe third countries were relaxed to allow transfers based on bilateral agreements, with unaccompanied minors excluded from such moves.
- The deal facilitates external return or transit centers outside the EU, with a Netherlands–Uganda arrangement cited as an example under discussion.
- A temporary solidarity pool will relocate 21,000 people from pressure states and let other countries contribute financially instead, totaling 420 million euros.
- The package needs European Parliament approval, and the Commission signaled Germany could receive relief on relocations given existing Dublin-responsibility caseloads.