The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) Group has welcomed the outcome of today’s vote in the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on the proposed EU Return Regulation, a key legislative file aimed at strengthening the European Union’s ability to return illegally staying third-country nationals.

ECR Shadow Rapporteur Charlie Weimers MEP underlined that the vote marks an important step towards restoring effectiveness and credibility in Europe’s migration system.

Weimers said:

“There is a new consensus in Europe. Migration policy cannot be effective if return decisions exist only on paper. Today’s vote sends a clear signal that the European Parliament wants rules that actually work.

“For years, the EU’s return system has suffered from a serious enforcement gap. According to the European Commission, only around 20% of migrants who receive a return decision are actually returned.”

The proposed regulation is intended to replace the outdated 2008 Returns Directive with a more operational framework that allows Member States to enforce return decisions more effectively.

The position adopted in the LIBE Committee strengthens the tools available to national authorities by introducing clearer rules on detention, stronger obligations for migrants to cooperate with return procedures, and more effective enforcement mechanisms. It also allows Member States to impose entry bans on individuals who pose a threat to public security.

Weimers said:

“Importantly, the proposal opens the possibility to establish return hubs in third countries, reflecting the growing recognition that the external dimension of migration policy must play a greater role if Europe is to manage migration effectively.

“For too long, the European debate focused on ineffective procedures rather than achieving results. A return system that works in practice is essential for maintaining public trust in Europe’s asylum system.”

“The new framework will also ensure that return procedures cannot be endlessly delayed through automatic suspensive appeals and that authorities retain the necessary investigative powers during return procedures. It further strengthens the ability of Member States to address security risks and introduces stronger consequences for individuals who refuse to cooperate with authorities.”

Following the vote in the LIBE Committee, and subject to a possible challenge in plenary, the European Parliament will be able to enter interinstitutional negotiations with the Council, which adopted its general approach in December. The ECR Group will continue to work for a pragmatic approach that strengthens effective returns, supports Member States and restores credibility to the EU’s migration policy.