EU Migration Pact in Force: After years of wrangling, the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact kicked in on June 12, aiming for one faster border screening and asylum process across member states—though critics warn it may still deepen hardship for people seeking protection. Bulgaria Starts Implementation: Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees says it’s ready to apply the new border procedure, with quicker processing and faster returns, plus upgrades to its migration database. Ukraine EU Accession Push: EU ambassadors agreed to resume and formally open the first accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova next week, with the “Fundamentals” cluster on rule of law and democratic institutions. Hungary Minority Deal: Hungary and Ukraine finalized a historic minority rights agreement for Hungarians in Transcarpathia, now also reflected in Ukraine’s EU accession minority action plan. Carbon Border Rules Tightened: EU ministers agreed to make it harder to suspend the carbon fee on imports, boosting certainty for low-carbon investment. EU Budget Fight: Germany rejected Cyprus’s “unaffordable” long-term budget compromise for 2028–34, setting up a tougher fight among capitals. AI Security Watch: The Commission plans talks with Anthropic over access to its Mythos model, amid concerns about cybersecurity risks. Taliban Talks on Returns: An EU-linked invitation reportedly targets Taliban officials for discussions on deporting Afghan migrants.