12/06/2026 Migration, International Protection and Economic Co-operation
Christiana Erotokritou (Cyprus, SOC), Rapporteur on “Frontline states: the role of the Council of Europe in implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum” has welcomed today the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
“Frontline states have often faced challenges regarding the dignified reception and management of migration . Establishing a common framework with harmonised procedures, a human rights monitoring system to investigate human rights’ violations and a solidarity mechanism is therefore a significant step forward to make the system fair and workable,” she said.
Ms Erotokritou stressed, however, that the Pact's value will ultimately depend on how it is applied in practice, urging all member States to implement it “in the most rights-protective way possible, with full consideration of Council of Europe’s standards, especially on detention conditions, on the safe third-country concept and the combat against human trafficking ”.
In this regard, she also expressed concern over some measures contained in the Pact. Regarding asylum procedures, Ms Erotokritou underlined that every application must be assessed individually and on its merits . “A fair and efficient assessment is the foundation of the international protection system,” she added.
She also called for genuine solidarity between member states: “Solidarity goes beyond financial and technical assistance. Relocations are essential to share responsibilities . Frontline states share a proud tradition of hospitality. A fair implementation of the Pact should ensure that they are not left alone dealing with unfair obligations deriving from their geographical location.”
"As we move forward, I am hopeful that a successful Pact entry into force will ensure that solidarity, human rights, and the rule of law remain at the core of Europe’s migration system," she concluded.