It is in Latvia’s interest to have a strict and coordinated EU migration policy - Kalniete

RIGA - It is in Latvia's interests to have a strict and coordinated European Union (EU) migration policy, emphasizes European Parliament (EP) Member Sandra Kalniete.

As the politician’s assistant Elina Bivina informed LETA, the European Parliament voted on Thursday on the EU’s new Return Directive, which is intended to impose additional obligations on third-country nationals to cooperate with the immigration authorities of EU member states, allow for the detention of individuals without legal residence in the EU under certain conditions, and provide for the establishment of accommodation centers for irregular migrants in countries outside the EU.

Kalniete emphasizes that the new framework for combating illegal migration in the EU must be strict and enforceable - consequences must be strengthened for those who do not cooperate with immigration authorities. Similarly, member states must be granted the right to make broader use of detention and to impose entry bans.

In the MEP’s view, a clear legal framework is essential for establishing accommodation centers for illegal migrants outside the EU. She concludes that this regulation strengthens Latvia’s ability to take firm action against illegal immigrants who systematically attempt to cross the country’s eastern border with the support of Belarus and Russia.

The European Commission’s (EC) proposal for stricter migration controls in the EU was announced in March 2025, and a decision on it was adopted by the Council of the EU in December of last year, but on Thursday the EP voted on its position to begin trilateral talks with the European Commission and the Council of the EU and reach an agreement that will allow the new Migration Pact to enter into force in full.

As EP Press Secretary Kristine Liepina informed LETA, the EP, with 389 MEPs voting in favor, 206 against, and 32 abstentions, agreed to begin negotiations with member states on an updated EU common system for the return of third-country nationals residing illegally in the EU.