EU-Außengrenzen: Brunner will Außengrenzen schärfer kontrollieren

Brussels - EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner unveiled a comprehensive plan on Tuesday to tighten controls on the European Union's external borders. The proposal comes in the wake of the July influx of over 72,000 migrants attempting to cross from Morocco into Ceuta, a Spanish enclave. The events were extensively documented in videos, sparking criticism from Italy and calls from other EU nations for improved border protection.

Brunner's plan requires approval from the member states and aims to strengthen the EU's border protection agency Frontex, which would receive a standby reserve for rapid deployment. The agency would also collaborate more closely with member states, play a larger role in the return of irregular migrants, and expand monitoring of external borders and adjacent areas.

The plan includes early warning systems for border crossings, stricter measures against smuggling, and greater assistance for the countries of origin. Brunner did not disclose the costs or resources needed for the plan. Currently, the number of illegal border crossings in the EU is at its lowest level since 2021, according to Brunner, despite the Ceuta events.

Most of the migrants who reached Ceuta in July have since been repatriated, but around 10,000 migrants without legal residence status continue to reside in the enclave. Ceuta, unlike the rest of Spain, is not part of the Schengen area, which allows citizens of the 29 member states to move freely within their territories. Brunner stated, "We will see how it works in practice, but we support anything the Spanish government does to repatriate those who are illegally staying in Ceuta."