Project of the EU Commission: Five-point plan against illegal migration

The Balkan route is considered one of the most active migration routes in the EU. By November, three times as many illegal border crossings were reported as in the same period in 2021. The EU Commission has now presented a new migration plan.

While numbers are declining on some escape routes like the western Mediterranean, the Balkan route is far from closed. We finally have to do more and strengthen border protection along the entire Balkan route, demands EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson: “There is now also an agreement with North Macedonia so that our border protection agency Frontex can carry out operations there. The agreement is not yet over ratified by all the parliaments of the EU member states. I hope this happens quickly.” Then Frontex will be on site in North Macedonia in the same week.

More powers for Frontex

The EU has also concluded similar agreements with Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. With the new mandate, the deployment of the EU border protection agency is to be extended to the entire territory of the four Balkan states. In addition, the Frontex officers are given extended powers there, for example for border checks or for registering people.

In addition, the five-point plan provides more support for asylum procedures, tougher action against people smugglers and faster deportations. At the same time, the EU Commission wants to continue to put pressure on the governments of the Balkan states with regard to visa policy, explains Vice President Margaritis Schinas.

In the area of ​​visa policy, it was achieved that Serbia ended visa-free entry with Tunisia and Burundi. Similar progress is expected in other countries such as India or Egypt. “Western Balkan countries generally need to adapt their visa policies to those of the EU when it comes to third countries. It is unacceptable when Balkan countries do not ask people who need a visa for the EU and then travel illegally to the EU .”

EU interior ministers meet on Thursday

This should also be a central topic at tomorrow’s EU-Western Balkans summit. On Thursday, the EU interior ministers will also deal with this, as well as with the action plan presented for the central Mediterranean route. One is finally on the right track, says EU Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson. It was encouraging to see the progress made this year – first during the French Presidency and now also during the Czech Presidency, which is due to end the year.

In view of the increasing number of refugees, the issue of migration has gained new momentum within the European Commission. The declared goal is now to implement the migration and asylum package that has been on the table for two years by the end of 2024.