The European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, in statements to the press today, Thursday, urged for the acceleration of the processes for returning irregular migrants to their home countries, noting that she will raise this issue during the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council taking place in Luxembourg today.

She said: "I will raise the issue that we need to expedite procedures regarding the return of those who do not have the right to stay in the European Union to their countries."

She also continued: "We need to be more efficient, close gaps, and be faster in making decisions and implementing return operations, and at the same time, we need to conclude more agreements with countries of origin in this regard."