The European Union has just reached a landmark agreement on asylum reform. This agreement comes after months of negotiations and compromises and marks a significant step forward for the EU. The agreement seeks to overhaul the EU’s existing asylum system, which in its current state has been deemed unsustainable. Under the new agreement, refugees will have a much clearer and likely smoother pathway to protection. It ensures that asylum-seekers can move freely within the EU, including between states, and also provides a more comprehensive system of recognition of their rights. The agreement still faces a significant challenge of ratification, however, with many member states needing to sign off on the reforms before they can be implemented. Many of the states have voiced their opposition to the agreement, citing security and economic concerns. In response, the European commission has promised to implement the reforms in a timely manner, but only once all states have agreed to them. Despite this, the agreement is still considered a major achievement for the EU. It marks the first time that all member states have agreed on a shared framework for asylum, something that previous attempts at reform have been unable to achieve. If ratified, the agreement would see more uniformity and efficiency in the handling of asylum applications in the EU, offering much-needed protection to those in need. The deal can still be derailed if any of the member states fail to ratify it. Therefore the challenge of ratification currently facing the agreement is a critical one that must not be taken lightly. If successful, however, it could mark a major step forward in overhauling Europe’s broken asylum system and offering more rights and protection to those who need it most.