EU-Außengrenzen: Zahl der irregulären EU-Grenzübertritte sinkt deutlich

The European Union's external border agency, Frontex, reported a significant decline in the number of irregular entries into the EU's external borders during the first eight months of the current year. Over 74,000 unauthorized entries marked a 35 percent decrease compared to the same period last year, according to the EU border protection agency in Warsaw.

This reduction is attributed to continuous cooperation with partner countries and preventive measures in the main migration routes, as stated by EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner. He noted, "The European migration turnaround is working – the figures speak for themselves. For 14 months, irregular border crossings have been consistently decreasing." The EU must now maintain this momentum and solidify the progress made.

However, Frontex acknowledged that these figures do not reflect the "large-scale migration movement" from Morocco to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta at the end of July. A definitive total number is likely impossible to determine, as most migrants returned to Morocco before being registered. As of July, approximately 80,000 people had entered Ceuta, according to the Spanish government, while Morocco reported around 40,000 arrivals.

The incident at Ceuta raised debates about EU border protection and Spain's responsibility. Frontex sources revealed that, while the overall situation at EU borders remained calm during the summer, Ceuta demonstrated that a calm state could deteriorate within hours. Schmugglers' networks would not vanish if numbers dropped; they would simply wait for the next opportunity to exploit.

This moment calls for Frontex to be prepared. Western Mediterranean routes continue to be the main entry points for migrants, with the majority crossing via the eastern Mediterranean (from Turkey to Greece) and the central Mediterranean (from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and Malta), accounting for almost 60 percent of irregular entries. Frontex reported a 34 percent increase in this route to Spain, indicating a growing trend.