EU Interior Ministers Approve New Expulsion Regulation, Paving Way for Return Platforms

EU interior ministers meeting in Luxembourg on October 1st formally approved a new regulation on expulsions, despite a decline in irregular arrivals. The regulation enables the creation of 'return platforms' in third countries, signaling a policy shift toward externalizing migration management. This development reflects sustained political pressure to tighten migration policy, with implications for EU relations with partner countries and human rights debates.