The European Union's sweeping new rulebook on asylum and migration, the Pact on Migration and Asylum, officially enters into force today. Designed to streamline asylum procedures, redistribute responsibility away from southern frontline states, and accelerate returns of those without legal status, the pact represents the bloc's most ambitious attempt to overhaul its migration framework in years. Yet its implementation arrives amid sharp criticism from human rights groups and a pointed intervention from Pope Leo XIV.
Pope's Canary Islands visit underscores tensions
Speaking during an open-air mass on Gran Canaria, part of the Spanish archipelago that has become a key landing point for migrants crossing from West Africa, the pontiff declared that “human dignity has no passport and does not lose its value when crossing a border.” His comments, delivered to thousands of worshippers and humanitarian workers, were widely interpreted as a veiled rebuke of the hardening political rhetoric on migration across Europe. The Pope also met with migrants and aid workers on the island, a journey that highlighted Spain's relatively open stance compared to other member states.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, in an interview with Euronews, sought to align Brussels with the Pope's message. “I had the chance to meet the Pope myself some months ago and I had a conversation with him exactly on that topic,” Brunner said. “And yes, of course, human dignity, international law, this is all at the centre also of the reforms. We have a responsibility also as a European Union to protect those people whose life is under threat in their home countries, and that's what we try to do.”
The timing of the Pope's visit and Brunner's remarks underscores the delicate balancing act the EU faces as it implements the pact. While the rules are a response to mounting public pressure and a rightward shift in many European governments, critics argue they weaken fundamental protections for migrants and refugees. One of the most contentious provisions allows member states to set up so-called “return hubs” outside EU territory for deporting rejected asylum seekers.
Solidarity among member states remains a weak point. The pact's voluntary solidarity mechanism is expected to facilitate only 9,000 relocations of asylum seekers from frontline states to other EU countries—far below the minimum target of 30,000. This has led to accusations that the reforms fail to deliver genuine burden-sharing.
Read more: EU Migration Pact Takes Effect Amid Enforcement Doubts and Member State Reluctance
IMF warns of worsening economic outlook
Separately, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Europe Today that the EU faces a “difficult balancing act” as it contends with the economic fallout from the Iran war. “Unfortunately the conditions have worsened since we put out a projection for European growth and inflation in April,” Georgieva explained. “It is now even worse, so we are downgrading our projections for the Eurozone, and lifting again our inflation projections.” She called on the EU to ensure its budget negotiations deliver “the strength to lift up productivity and growth in Europe,” endorsing further joint borrowing to fund shared priorities.
EU ambassadors to discuss Ukraine and Moldova accession
Later today, EU ambassadors will meet at 18:00 CET to finalise their common position on opening the first cluster of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova. Diplomats indicate an agreement is likely after Hungary lifted its veto last week. The common position, drafted months ago, includes a rule of law roadmap and an action plan on minority rights—the issue that had previously stalled progress between Budapest and Kyiv. If approved, an intergovernmental conference could follow on Monday.
On Sunday, ambassadors will also debate the revised budget proposal tabled by the Cyprus presidency. The so-called nego-box proposes a 2% cut worth €32.8 billion. The Netherlands and Sweden have already dismissed it as a “no-go box,” with the Dutch finance minister calling it “unaffordable, unbalanced, and with the wrong focus.” Italy's Giorgia Meloni criticised rebates for wealthier nations, while the “Friends of Cohesion” group opposes cuts to cohesion and agricultural funds. Cyprus deputy minister Marilena Raouna defended the proposal as a “balanced” compromise between “strong and opposing” political camps.
Read more: World Cup Kicks Off, EU Migration Pact Takes Effect, Pope Concludes Spain Visit
In a related development, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has defended the European External Action Service (EEAS) in an internal email seen by Euronews, as discussions among key capitals over reforming the bloc's diplomatic service intensify. The EEAS and the role of the High Representative face growing scrutiny as the EU seeks to sharpen its foreign policy tools.
