The EU Council's Working Party on Integration, Migration and Expulsion (IMEX Expulsion) is scheduled to meet on 2 July 2026 in Brussels to discuss return and readmission issues, with Frontex invited for specific agenda items. The meeting, set for 10:00 at the Justus Lipsius building, will cover operational aspects of returns, voluntary return programmes, and the linkage between visa policy and readmission cooperation with third countries.
According to the provisional agenda published on 29 June 2026, the working party will hear a presentation from Frontex on the implementation of its activities in the field of return, followed by an exchange of views. The Presidency, Commission, and Frontex will also present on promoting voluntary returns and reintegration, referencing document 10425/26. A separate item covers the Visa Strategy and Visa Code Article 25a, with a Commission presentation (document 10478/26), followed by an update from the Commission and EEAS on the implementation of the Article 25a exercise, including an exchange of views on readmission cooperation with Ethiopia. The agenda also includes initial observations on the return border procedure following its implementation.
Under any other business, the Commission will provide information on an upcoming Digitalisation Proposal, and Germany has requested an update of the 2017 EU Return Handbook in light of the new Return Regulation. For non-COMIX participants (Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, and Frontex not participating), the Commission will update on readmission negotiations with Kazakhstan.
The meeting reflects the Council's ongoing focus on operationalising returns as a key component of EU migration policy, linking visa leverage to encourage readmission cooperation with countries of origin and transit. The discussions on Ethiopia and Kazakhstan signal a targeted approach to bilateral readmission arrangements, while the return border procedure item suggests a review of early implementation challenges. The German request to update the Return Handbook indicates member states' interest in aligning guidance with the recently adopted Return Regulation.
Stakeholders impacted include EU member states' migration authorities, which will face operational adjustments from new return procedures and digitalisation; Frontex, whose expanding role in returns is under scrutiny; third countries like Ethiopia and Kazakhstan, whose readmission cooperation is tied to visa policy; and migrants subject to return decisions, who may see changes in voluntary return incentives and border procedures. The meeting does not take decisions but prepares technical discussions for higher-level Council bodies.