European interior ministers vow tougher migration policy across bloc

Interior ministers from six European Union countries convened on Friday at Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, where they issued a joint declaration aimed at curbing irregular migration.

The declaration reaffirmed their "common commitment to work together on reducing illegal migration effectively," emphasizing that effective returns are essential to maintaining public trust in a balanced European migration policy.

It also highlighted the importance of protecting the EU's external borders and called on the European Commission to provide sufficient funding for this effort.

Acknowledging the strain that large numbers of irregular migrants place on national asylum systems, the ministers pledged stronger and more coordinated efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

The meeting was hosted by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and attended by his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic. EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner was also present.

According to a statement from Germany's Interior Ministry, the gathering at the Zugspitze was intended to chart a course towards a tougher European migration policy and outline an agenda to accelerate migration reform across the continent.

Also on Friday, Germany deported 81 Afghan nationals – the second group deportation since the Afghan interim government assumed power in August 2021, and the first such move under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration.