European Parliament tightens asylum rules for Ukraine, Moldova

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted stricter rules for processing asylum applications from citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, and other countries, the institution announced.

The Parliament approved the creation of a Europe-wide list of “safe countries of origin.” Under the new rules, applicants from these countries will be required to demonstrate that their individual circumstances warrant protection, showing that they face a genuine risk of persecution or serious harm if returned to their homeland.

The EP clarified that the measure also applies to EU candidate countries. These nations will generally be presumed safe unless specific conditions—such as armed conflict, sanctions, or other extraordinary circumstances—indicate otherwise.

The initial list of safe countries includes Tunisia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Colombia, Kosovo, India, and Egypt, alongside EU candidate countries such as Ukraine and Moldova.

According to the Parliament, the reform aims to streamline the asylum process while maintaining safeguards for individuals genuinely at risk, balancing efficiency with protection.

By Vafa Guliyeva