Read my full speech here:
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

Here you can find all the information needed, including the joint declaration: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/mig...

home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/mig...

Tomorrow we are hosting the second Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling in Brussels. We aim to protect people from falling into smugglers’ hands, break the business model of their criminal operations, and work on alternatives to illegal migration with over 80 delegations.

3/ Member States agreed on:
- a new common European system on returns
- the safe third country concept
- and the first EU list of safe countries of origin

2/ Yesterday, we reached agreement on key elements of this reform and in doing so are showing that the EU can deliver on migration. Part of this is the first solidarity pool, which makes the Pact a reality.

I want to thank the Danish presidency for their excellent work to reach a decision.

newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/events/20251...

I highly value the Coalition bringing together Member States on this important topic. Today, we focused on drugs, as the Commission recently adopted the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan, and on the need for international cooperation and strong engagement of our agencies like Europol and the EUDA.

We must fight back on all fronts - prevention, treatment and security.

With today‘s EU Drugs Strategy and the Action Plan we send a clear message.

#ProtectEU

There are human lives at stake: In 2023 alone we lost 7,500 Europeans, not to mention the bloodshed, violence, corruption and social harm that comes with the illegal drugs trafficking.