EU approves safe-country list, clarifies 'safe third country'
The European Parliament approved a European list of safe countries of origin and provided clarification on the concept of a 'safe third country', a move described as significant for EU migration policy by Diário de Notícias. The CDS party supported the change, saying asylum must be legally rigorous and operationally consistent; coverage notes the EU seeks faster, more uniform procedures across member states. The decision could mean quicker handling of some asylum claims and firmer grounds for returns in certain cases. Those following asylum applications or advising migrants should watch how Portugal implements the new list and the definition of a safe third country.
Update: Parliament approves EU safe-country list
Diário de Notícias reports the European Parliament adopted the proposed list and clarified the 'safe third country' concept, with the CDS voting in favour. Coverage says the change aims to harmonise and speed processing across member states and could make returns more likely in some cases.
The European list of safe countries of origin is a roster of states the EU considers generally safe for people seeking asylum, meaning claims from those countries can be processed through accelerated procedures. The list is used to speed up decisions and reject applications judged manifestly unfounded; the European Parliament recently approved a revision and clarification that also relates to how 'safe third country' rules are applied, which can affect asylum flows and returns.
A safe third country is a country outside the state where an asylum claim is lodged that is deemed to offer protection and respect the principle of non‑refoulement, so an applicant can be returned there instead of being allowed to claim asylum. EU rules use this concept to decide admissibility of claims; recent EU clarifications make it clearer when member states can rely on a third country to receive returned applicants.
The European Parliament is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union, with 720 members (MEPs) elected every five years by citizens of all 27 member states. Portugal elects 21 MEPs through proportional representation.
The Parliament co-legislates with the Council of the EU on most EU law, approves the EU budget, and scrutinizes EU institutions including the European Commission. Its decisions affect Portuguese citizens through EU regulations on trade, agriculture, environmental standards, consumer protection, digital markets, and more.
Portuguese MEPs sit in European political groups aligned with their domestic parties — for example, PS MEPs in the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), PSD/CDS in the European People's Party (EPP), and Chega in the Patriots for Europe group. Key committees where Portuguese interests feature prominently include fisheries, cohesion policy, and economic affairs.
