The EU member states and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement regarding safe third countries early Thursday morning, as announced by the Council of the European Union in a press release.
This agreement allows EU nations to deny asylum applications if applicants could have sought and received protection in a safe country outside the EU. The proposal is one of three significant initiatives under the Danish EU presidency aimed at strengthening the EU’s asylum and migration policy.
Last week, Minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund successfully garnered support from the EU countries for this proposal. With the European Parliament’s approval, the agreement now awaits final confirmation. Stoklund expressed his satisfaction, stating that thousands of migrants face dangers in the Mediterranean and exploitation by human traffickers. He emphasized the need to address the issues that sustain an “unhealthy and inhumane system.”
The concept of safe third countries also facilitates the establishment of reception centers outside the EU, where asylum seekers can be sent while their applications are processed. This has been a long-standing objective for Denmark. Stoklund highlighted the swift revision of the safe third country concept during their presidency, enabling member states to forge agreements for asylum processing beyond European borders.
Denmark has also gained support for a proposal regarding return centers outside the EU to accommodate rejected asylum seekers until they can be repatriated. According to the agreement, these centers can serve as a final destination if the rejected asylum seekers opt not to return home.
The departure centers will also need to be confirmed by the European Parliament. The recent agreement on safe third countries requires final ratification by both institutions before implementation, anticipated to be effective by June 12, 2026.
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