Katelynas urges EU to work more closely with origin countries on migrant returns

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas urged the European Union to cooperate more closely with third countries on the return of illegal migrants.

"In the area of returns, we must move from discussions to results. If a decision is made that a person has no right to stay in the European Union, states must have realistic opportunities to implement it. This requires both stronger political pressure and closer cooperation with countries of origin," Katelynas said on Friday.

He also stressed the importance of identifying migration risks and responding to them before they reach the European Union's external borders.

Katelynas made the remarks at the European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.

Interior ministers discussed the situation in the Schengen area, migration management, the return of people illegally present in the European Union, as well as drug-related violence and intimidation and preparedness to respond in a timely manner to emerging migration and security threats.

During the debate on Schengen, Katelynas highlighted the importance of stronger protection of the European Union's external borders, closer cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the use of modern technologies.

According to the interior minister, Europe must pay more attention to prevention rather than simply reacting to crises that have already arisen.

The council also stressed that the response to drug crime and related violence and intimidation must include not only law enforcement measures but also stronger prevention and assistance to victims.

Katelynas also drew attention to hybrid threats posed by Russia, cyberattacks, disinformation and the malicious use of drones, calling for stronger mutual information exchange and greater investment in preparedness for such threats.

Lithuania promises to raise these issues during its presidency of the European Union Council in the first half of 2027.