Implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum

Onboarding: The Common Implementation Plan

When adopting the Pact, we gave ourselves two years to put in place the necessary new rules, procedures, and structures. There are good reasons for this timeframe given the magnitude of the task at hand, and we are fully focused on meeting that target.
President von der Leyen, 14 October 2024

The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is a complex process that involves multiple actors, including the European Commission, EU Member States, and EU agencies. The Common Implementation Plan is a key document that outlines the steps necessary to implement the Pact, and it is based on 10 building blocks that cover different aspects of migration and asylum policy:

1. A common migration and asylum information system (Eurodac)
2. A new system to manage migration at the EU external borders
3. Rethinking reception
4. Fair, efficient, and convergent asylum procedures
5. Efficient and fair return procedures
6. A fair and efficient system: making the new responsibility rules work
7. Making solidarity work
8. Preparedness, Contingency Planning and Crisis response
9. New safeguards for applicants for international protection and vulnerable persons, and increased monitoring of fundamental rights
10. Resettlement, Inclusion and Integration 

The Commission’s role in supporting the Pact’s implementation

The Commission supports the Member States’ preparation for the implementation of the Pact, through:

• The Common Implementation Plan and the annexed Checklist
• Support to the drafting of the Member States’ National Implementation Plans
• Q&As
• TSI dedicated calls
• EUAA trainings and guidance
• Additional allocations of EU funding
• Contact Committees, and other political and technical groups to prepare implementing rules and guidelines

Cycle of governance: How it works

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This annual cycle of governance ensures that the EU and its Member States are prepared to respond to migratory pressures and that solidarity is provided to the EU countries that need it. The cycle is repeated every year, with the Commission presenting a new European Annual Asylum and Migration Report and proposing a new Council implementing act and solidarity mechanism.

• Presentation of the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report: In October, the Commission presents the European Annual Asylum and Migration Report, which provides an overview of the migration and asylum situation in the EU and its Member States.
• Assessment of migratory pressure: The report assesses the migratory pressure on each Member State, taking into account various factors such as the number of asylum applications, the number of irregular arrivals, and the capacity of each Member State to manage migration and asylum.
• Identification of Member States under migratory pressure: Based on the assessment, the Commission identifies which Member States are under migratory pressure, at risk of migratory pressure, or facing a significant migratory situation.
• Proposal for a Council implementing act: The Commission proposes a Council implementing act that sets out the Member States which are under migratory pressure, at risk of migratory pressure, or facing a significant migratory situation.
• Solidarity mechanism: The Commission also proposes a solidarity mechanism, which includes the allocation of solidarity contributions (relocations, financial contributions, or other forms of support) to Member States that are under migratory pressure.
• Consultation with Member States: The Commission consults with Member States on the proposed Council implementing act and the solidarity mechanism.
• Technical-Level EU Solidarity Forum: The Technical-Level EU Solidarity Forum, chaired by the Solidarity Coordinator, meets to discuss the proposed solidarity mechanism and the allocation of solidarity contributions.
• High-Level EU Solidarity Forum: The High-Level EU Solidarity Forum, chaired by the Member State holding the Presidency of the Council, meets to discuss the proposed Council implementing act and the solidarity mechanism.
• Council decision: By the end of the year, the Council adopts a decision on the proposed Council implementing act, which sets out the Member States that are under migratory pressure, at risk of migratory pressure, or facing a significant migratory situation, and the solidarity mechanism.
• Implementation of the solidarity mechanism: The solidarity mechanism is implemented, and Member States that are under migratory pressure receive the allocated solidarity contributions (relocations, financial contributions, or other forms of support).