Widespread labour shortages in the EU are prompting member states to reassess their strategies for labour migration to strengthen their ability to attract workers with diverse skill sets. This may be both through EU-wide initiatives or bilateral agreements, each of which come with opportunities and challenges. In this context, an expert roundtable was organised by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), aiming to examine successful practices and lessons learnt in both bilateral labour migration agreements and those implemented within EU frameworks. Participants reflected on ways to optimise cooperation at both levels, the role of policymakers in ensuring coherence between the two levels, and recommendations for the EU to enhance its value-add in labour migration partnerships.