European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen greets Magnus Brunner, European commissioner for home affairs and migration, at the European Parliament in Brussels on November 12, 2025. VIRGINIA MAYO/AP
The European Union (EU) aims to use every tool at its disposal, through its various policies, to pressure partner countries to accept the return of their unwanted nationals from Europe. Member states and the European Parliament are preparing to negotiate the new "return" regulation on the expulsion of non-European citizens from the continent. On Monday, December 1, they agreed on a new instrument designed to force third countries to take back their citizens.
As part of the revision of rules governing trade relations between the EU and developing countries and least developed countries – rules that grant these countries reduced tariffs to access the European market – lawmakers introduced a new condition.
Historically, these countries have had to respect human rights to keep their benefits, but now they will also have to take back their citizens who have been expelled from Europe. Magnus Brunner, the commissioner in charge of migration, noted that the countries who benefit from European markert access must also meet their responsbilities. The new agreement, he said, connects migration and trade policies, ensuring countries of origin honor their commitments and carry out returns efficiently.
