PES Home Affairs Ministers push for a fair and unified EU Migration policy

Home Affairs Ministers from the Party of European Socialists met at the PES headquarters in Brussels, ahead of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, to discuss the next steps in implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and to explore how expanding regular migration pathways can help reduce irregular flows and rebalance the European debate on migration.

Ministers exchanged views on the European Commission's first Annual Asylum and Migration Report, including the identification of Member States under migratory pressure and the proposal to establish a Solidarity Pool to provide coordinated support across the Union. They underlined the urgent need for credible, collective actions and warned against any resurgence of unilateral national approaches.

The discussion also highlighted the potential of regular and safe migration channels to address labour market needs, support inclusion, reduce reliance on smugglers and help shift public discourse towards the positive contributions of migration to European societies and economies.

The meeting was chaired by the Spanish Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz Delgado, who said:

"Our political family stands for a European response grounded in solidarity, responsibility, and respect for human rights. The Pact on Migration and Asylum will only succeed if we implement it together and fully, with shared responsibility and no return to fragmented national approaches.

Expanding regular and safe pathways is essential to demonstrating that migration can be an asset for our societies. The PES will continue to work for a fair, humane and effective European migration policy. One that fights against the far right's divisive agenda and instead builds sustainable solutions that strengthen our Union."

• Ana Catarina Mendes, Chair of the PES Migration Network, Vice-President S&D Group, MEP, S&D Group; Vladislav Kondratovič, Minister of Interior, Lithuania

As traditional right-wing parties such as the EPP increasingly align with far-right forces in promoting an undignified and illicit approach to migration, progressives will continue to champion a migration policy rooted in human rights, dignity, and shared responsibility.

By coordinating their positions ahead of the Council, PES Home Affairs Ministers reaffirmed their determination to defend a humane, pragmatic, and united European approach to migration and asylum in the negotiations to come.

Those present at the meeting included:

• - Elma Saiz Delgado, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Spain
• - Vladislav Kondratovič, Minister of Interior, Lithuania
• - Ana Catarina Mendes, Chair of the PES Migration Network, Vice-President S&D Group, MEP, S&D Group
• - Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES