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Justice and Home Affairs Council (Home Affairs), 4 June 2026
Main results
Migration
Home affairs Ministers took stock of the implementation of the asylum and migration pact ahead of its entry into application on 12 June, following an update from the Commission. They also reviewed the progress on the roll-out of the new Eurodac system, which will become operational on the same day.
The Cyprus Presidency announced that ministers will mark the entry into application of the asylum and migration pact at a ministerial conference in Nicosia on 12 June. The pact will make the common European asylum system more effective, with faster procedures and clearer rules regarding both sharing responsibility and solidarity among member states. In the long term, it will also contribute to reducing the migratory pressure.
On 12 June, the EU turns a new page in migration management. The launch of the pact on migration and asylum is an important achievement and demonstrates our ability to find common solutions to shared challenges. The Cyprus presidency has made the implementation of the pact one of its highest priorities, and we have worked relentlessly to ensure a successful start. The pact will reinforce the EU’s capacity to monitor and manage its external borders and provide for more efficient migration and asylum procedures.
Nicholas A. Ioannides, Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus
Ministers exchanged views on the external dimension of migration,with a particularfocus on the inadequate cooperation with Somalia on readmission of its citizens. The number of Somali nationals arriving irregularly in the EU more than doubled between 2024 and 2025, with many journeys facilitated by smuggling networks. Against this backdrop, ministers provided guidance on the way forward regarding the Commission’s proposed restrictive visa measures. They also discussed how the EU could strengthen its response to migrant smuggling networks, both in Somalia and in transit countries.
Ministers were also briefed about the migratory pressure on the English Channel and the North Sea. While irregular arrivals to the EU have generally decreased in 2026 compared to 2025, the high numbers of irregular border crossings along the Channel remain worrying. The ministers’ discussions should help the Commission finalise an action plan for the Channel route.
Home affairs ministers discussed the overall state of the Schengen area following the presentation of the Commission’s 2026 State of Schengen Report which assesses the implementation of the Schengen acquis over the past year. Effective implementation remains key to addressing security challenges and ensuring the protection of the EU’s external borders.
In this light, ministers exchanged views on the priority actions for the Schengen Council cycle 2026-2027 and approved them. The 2026-2027 cycle builds on the priorities of the previous years, addressing remaining gaps through targeted priority actions. Among them, several member states stressed the need to enhance the role of the common visa policy as the first line of security screening which contributes to effective border management.
The new cycle will continue to focus on:
accelerating the digitalisation of procedures and systems and enhancing the preparedness of large-scale IT systems,
strengthening the resilience of theexternal borders and effectiveness of returns,
increasing internal security, while striving for free movement in an area without internal border controls.
During the discussions, some member states noted the Commission’s opinions on the proportionality of prolonged internal border controls by several member states.
Ministers also reviewed progress on the interoperability of the EU’s large-scale IT systems for justice and home affairs, including the EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). The Commission and eu-LISA gave updates on preparations. Ministers stressed the need to maintain efforts to avoid delays in implementing the interoperability roadmap.
The Council adopted Council Conclusions on strengthening EU and national Schengen governance, representing a significant contribution to further enhancing the effectiveness, coordination and resilience of Schengen governance at both national and European Union level.
The Council approved a framework to implement the EU drugs strategy in response to the growing health, security and societal challenges posed by drug use and drug trafficking, which risk undermining the functioning of our democracies and the rule of law. As part of the implementation framework, the Council endorsed the new EU action plan against drug trafficking and concrete measures to deliver on the key priorities aimed at reducing drug use and drug-related harm. The discussion is important ahead of the June European Council, when leaders will address for the first time ever challenges linked to the use and trafficking of drugs.
Over a working lunch, ministers turned to the future legal status of displaced persons from Ukraine and provided guidance ahead of the Commission’s expected proposal on extending temporary protection. Discussions touched upon maintaining or reducing the scope of the future extension, including limitations for men within conscription age who are not allowed to leave Ukraine. The current temporary protection is valid until 4 March 2027.
In a restricted session, ministers discussed the impact of the current geopolitical environment on the EU, with a focus on the consequences of the overall situation in theMiddle East and the conflict in Iran.
Ministers also took stock of the overall security situation.A short video presented the achievements under the past EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) cycle 2022-2025.The Commission also presented cross-cutting security trends.
Ministers then discussed internal security aspects that should be reflected in the upcoming European security strategy. Ministers broadly supported:
systematically integrating security considerations across the EU legislation, policies and programmes;
structured cooperation among security actors, including improved secure information sharing;
and strengthening the external security dimension in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
Several ministers also referred to tackling hybrid threats and protection of critical infrastructure.
Under other business, Finland informed ministers about the efforts of the European coalition for civil preparedness and resilience. The coalition was launched by the Netherlands in 2025 to bring together member states who favour greater coordination at EU level in this regard.
Croatia informed about the outcome of the MED9 meeting of Interior Ministers, which took place on 18 and 19 May in Croatia. Discussions focused on migration challenges affecting frontline member states and the wider Mediterranean region.
