BRUSSELS, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a new rule aimed at speeding up the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the European Union (EU) and allowing member states to transfer them to "return hubs" in third countries.

Migrants arrive at Italy's southernmost island of Lampedusa and wait to be directed by police and Red Cross staff members to a nearby migrant reception center on Nov. 20, 2023. (File photo: Xinhua)

The regulation was approved during a plenary session with 418 votes in favor, 218 against and 30 abstentions.

Under the new rule, third-country nationals subject to a return decision must cooperate with the relevant authorities and leave the EU member state concerned immediately or within a specified deadline.

To facilitate returns, member states may detain individuals who fail to cooperate, present a risk of absconding, or pose a security threat. Detention must be ordered by an administrative or judicial authority and may last for up to 24 months.

The new rule also allows member states, based on agreements with third countries, to transfer individuals subject to return decisions to non-EU territories, including "return hubs" in third countries.

Unaccompanied minors are exempted from these rules, and agreements may only be reached with third countries that respect human rights and international law.

The European Parliament said the new regulation is intended to simplify and accelerate return procedures while ensuring full respect for fundamental rights and international law, including the principle of non-refoulement and the prohibition of collective expulsions.

Malik Azmani, a Dutch member of parliament from Renew Europe and rapporteur for the legislation, said people rightly expected those without the right to stay to return to their countries of origin. "That is why I have one clear priority: effective and realistic return measures," he added.

The regulation is part of the EU's broader efforts to tighten migration management after the Migration and Asylum Pact took effect earlier this month. EU institutions have argued that a more effective return system is needed to complement the bloc's asylum framework and improve the implementation of return decisions.

The regulation still requires formal adoption by the Council of the EU and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union before it can enter into force.