Held at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), the conference featured six sessions that delved into various aspects of the Pact, including the practical implementation process of the Pact, new regulations related to the border and responsibility-sharing mechanisms among Member States, and their possible implementation. Major actors in the field of migration and asylum contributed to the discussions, including academic experts from the Odysseus Network, representatives from the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the EU, and several Member States, as well as prominent organisations such as ECRE, UNHCR, Frontex, and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

The first session on ‘Unpacking the Pact’, focused on the major opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Pact. Two different scenarios, a pessimistic and an optimistic one, were discussed and analysed.

The second session looked critically at the new Solidarity provisions included throughout the Pact, with a specific focus on the new Responsibility-sharing mechanisms in the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) and the new Dublin rules in that same instrument. Criticism focused on the lack of enforceability power of the new Solidarity Pool and the perceived minor changes in the Dublin rules, which uphold the fundamental basic structures on which the Dublin III Regulation was built. At the same time, it was underlined that these new rules could make a substantial difference if Member States work together in a spirit of sincere cooperation.

The final session of the first day focused on the new rules related to the border. As in the previous sessions, opportunities and challenges were identified. Criticism related to the complexity of both the introduction of a new screening procedure and new appeals procedures related to possible return and detention procedures at the border. On the other hand, it was acknowledged that, when implemented correctly, some of the new provisions could make the system more efficient and could contribute to better (and shorter) decision-making.   

The second day focused on fundamental right provisions included throughout the Pact, including the provisions on new monitoring mechanisms and the introduction of legal aid and counselling in some stages of the procedures. Criticism focused on some possible incompatibilities with international law, for example, in the context of safe third-country provisions and the withdrawal of material reception assistance in some cases. On the other hand, some protection gaps could be filled with new monitoring mechanisms and a protection-focused implementation of the new framework.

For further information, you can read the Odysseus Network blog series about the instruments of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.