Overview
- EU interior ministers met in Nicosia to finalize the remaining pieces of a reform package slated to start in June.
- Germany formed a working group with Greece, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands to develop models for return hubs outside the EU, with the European Commission accompanying the effort.
- The Netherlands says it has an agreement with Uganda to establish a return centre that would facilitate removals from the region.
- A new return directive in the pact is designed to accelerate deportations of people found not eligible for asylum.
- EU agencies report significant drops in asylum applications and irregular crossings, and officials cite stronger borders and partnerships alongside a newly approved safe‑country list that underpins return measures.