EU Deportation Rules: Talks Fail Over Implementation Timing, New Meeting June 1

National governments and MEPs failed on Thursday to agree on new EU deportation rules, expected to be the final round of talks. The controversial proposals would allow governments to transfer rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants, including families with children, to «return hubs» outside the EU before deportation.

The negotiations broke down over the timing of the regulation’s application. The Council of the EU initially sought a two-year delay for the regulation, except for immediate implementation of return hubs. Parliament demanded immediate application of the entire regulation. National governments later indicated they could accept a one-year delay.

Other major points, including the definition of «voluntary return» and mutual recognition of deportation orders, were largely settled. A new meeting is scheduled for June 1, ahead of a meeting of EU home affairs ministers. Malik Azmani, the European Parliament’s lead negotiator, warned that «Europe cannot afford further delay.» François-Xavier Bellamy criticized proposals to postpone implementation, calling delays «unjustifiable.» Melissa Camara, Greens MEP, called the meeting a «parody of negotiations,» criticizing the focus on timing over fundamental rights.