State Secretary Dr Predalič in Cyprus to discuss Pact on Migration and Asylum

The Pact on Migration and Asylum (the Pact) is a set of new rules for managing migration and establishing a common asylum system at European Union (EU) level, which came into force on 12 June 2026. It consists of ten legislative acts. The four fundamental pillars of the Pact are: secure external borders, fast and efficient procedures, effective system of solidarity and responsibility, and embedding migration in international partnerships.

As Dr Božo Predalič stated at the conference in Nicosia, "the implementation of the Pact is not a one-off process, but a long-term endeavour requiring sustained political commitment, financial resources - where it will remain essential to ensure sufficient funding in the future - and a flexible system capable of responding appropriately to the actual situation." He also drew attention to the sharp increase in irregular border crossings from Croatia into Slovenia: "Each of us should consistently fulfil our part of the task and bear our share of responsibility; otherwise, it will be very difficult to build the trust that is so vital for a well-functioning Schengen system."

One of the fundamental aspects of a credible EU migration policy is ensuring effective returns. "The success of returns will continue to depend to a large extent on cooperation with third countries. We advocate for increasingly integrating the return of persons who do not qualify for EU residency into comprehensive partnerships. By using all available leverage, we must ensure compliance with international legal readmission obligations. We expect greater unity among Member States on this front," Dr Predalič said. He emphasised that Slovenia does not oppose the return hubs as introduced by the Return Regulation. "However, from the very start of discussions on this issue, we have taken a clear stance that such hubs must be as close as possible to the countries of origin and do not belong near the EU's external border - and certainly not in the Western Balkans."

Regarding the solidarity mechanism, the State Secretary pointed out that the burden of migration is being shifted to a few smaller EU Member States. "We created the solidarity mechanism specifically for situations of disproportionate increase in migration. And despite the fact that migration trends have been on the decline across the EU in recent years, the European Commission has concluded that disproportionate burden is placed on 19 Member States and that the EU's solidarity is in fact being shifted to eight small to medium-sized countries, including Slovenia. Meanwhile, these countries are under pressure from secondary movements as well, meaning that migration flows are coming to us from our neighbouring EU countries. For Slovenia, this is not solidarity, but an additional burden."

He called on the European Commission to give thorough consideration to the fair inclusion of countries that are facing disproportionate pressure due to secondary flows. "It is unacceptable that, at a time when migration numbers are falling, the reference number under the regulation is being increased, whilst the burden is being shifted to a few smaller Member States. This is not solidarity, and it is not sustainable in the long term," State Secretary Dr Predalič said.

State Secretary Dr Božo Predalič at a conference in Nicosia, Cyprus | Author Ministry of the Interior and Public Administration