The Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, attended the Council meeting of Home Affairs Ministers in Brussels on Monday, 8 December 2025, where discussions centred on migration and Schengen-related issues. He noted that “the Council’s deliberations built on the constructive dialogue advanced at the MED5 Ministerial Meeting held in Malta last week.”
Following extended negotiations, the Council reached an agreement on establishing the first annual solidarity pool for 2026, through which Member States under migratory pressure will receive support “either via relocations or financial contributions.” Minister Camilleri recalled that Malta had faced years of migration crises but said that “the Government has managed to successfully reverse the trend… Malta is no longer classified as a Member State under migratory pressure.”
Despite this progress, the Minister stressed that Malta remains committed to assisting others, stating that “solidarity is not a choice, but a cornerstone of the European Union.” He also welcomed the Council’s endorsement of the Commission’s proposed Return Regulation, describing it as essential to “make Europe’s return system more efficient, credible, and fair.”
Minister Camilleri highlighted Malta’s results, including a 93% decrease in irregular arrivals and a returns-to-arrivals ratio of 78% in 2025, while calling for strengthened Schengen tools, deeper third-country cooperation, and vigilance against emerging security risks.
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