Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

In response, the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, welcomed the European Parliament's adoption of new rules that facilitate the application of the Safe Third Country concept and the EU's first list of safe countries of origin.

According to a statement issued by the Commission in Brussels, these new rules will strengthen the EU asylum system, making asylum procedures faster and more efficient for member states. As part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, these rules will contribute to building a fair and robust system while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights.

The statement, a copy of which we received, added that the first EU list of safe countries of origin will enable member states to adopt a more uniform approach to asylum applications from citizens of countries on the EU list whose applications are likely to be unfounded. Through accelerated procedures based on individual assessment, member states will be able to process these asylum applications more quickly and efficiently. A country of origin can be deemed safe based on an assessment that draws on a range of relevant sources, including the European Union Asylum Service, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Member States.

The concept of a safe third country allows Member States to refuse asylum applications when applicants can obtain effective protection in a third country deemed safe for them. Under the new rules, a link between the applicant and the safe third country is no longer a prerequisite for applying this concept. Under EU law, third countries are considered safe only if their national systems are capable of processing applications and providing effective protection where needed, guaranteeing protection from refoulement and the absence of risks of persecution, threats to life, or inhuman or degrading treatment.

The Pact on Migration and Asylum is the cornerstone of the EU’s asylum and migration policy, ensuring stronger protection of external borders, stricter rules against abuse of power, and a balance between responsibility and solidarity. With this step, Member States are better prepared to manage migration within the EU effectively. The Commission will continue to support Member States in advancing the implementation of the Pact, as its operationalization and development require further focus in the coming years.

The European statement explained that the regulations must now be formally adopted by the Council before entering into force, 20 days after their publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The new rules implement parts of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will come into force in June 2026. According to the Commission, the EU's list of safe countries of origin includes candidate countries for EU accession that meet the criteria for classification as a safe country of origin as part of their EU accession process, as well as Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Member States will now have greater flexibility in applying the concept of a safe third country, in accordance with the criteria set out in the Asylum Procedure Regulation. Member States may choose to apply this concept if there is a link with a safe third country, if the applicant has passed through a safe country before arriving in the EU, or if there is an agreement or arrangement with a safe country. Strong safeguards remain in place.