The Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations and the European Policy Centre (EPC) organised an off-the-record lunchtime discussion on the implementation of the EU migration and asylum reforms, examining scenarios, uncertainties, and the year ahead.

This closed-door exchange took stock of where the implementation cycle now stands, following the launch of the Annual Asylum and Migration Report and discussions on the Solidarity Pool. It explored the operational, legal and political milestones in the implementation cycle against remaining gaps and risks, with a forward-looking lens.

The discussion was introduced by Michael Shotter, Director for Migration and Asylum at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, and built upon the recent paper “EU Migration and Asylum at a Crossroad: Planning for Uncertainty” by Virginie Jacob, Senior Adviser to at the EPC, and Alberto Neidhardt, Head of the EPC European Migration and Diversity program, available here.

The paper provided the basis for an informed conversation with a select group of experts from EU and national institutions, international organisations, civil society organisation think tanks and practitioners about possible risks and shortcomings linked to the reforms’ implementation.

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