Europe must protect its borders and tackle illegal migration

Today, the EPP Group has endorsed a comprehensive 9-point Action Plan to halt uncontrolled migration.

"Europe is facing significant migratory pressures, and it is clear that we need bold, decisive action. The Migration Pact is just the beginning. To safeguard our borders, we must enforce return decisions for migrants without a right to stay, strengthen our external borders and protect the Schengen Area, dismantle the smuggling networks and counter the instrumentalisation of migrants by hostile actors," says EPP Group Vice-Chair Tomas Tobé.

"The time to act is now. By tripling Frontex staff to 30,000 and expanding the use of new technologies, including drones and biometric systems at our borders, we are delivering a strong strategy to stop illegal migration," Tobé adds. 

Lena Düpont MEP, EPP Group Spokeswoman on Home Affairs, stresses the importance of enforcing return decisions. "The current enforcement rate of return decisions is simply unacceptable. Only 20% are carried out. This must change. Stricter measures are urgently needed to ensure that those without the right to stay here are sent home. Member States need operational support and a legal framework that works."

"The EPP Group welcomes the Commission's proposal for establishing return hubs outside the EU in line with international standards. This is a critical step towards a fairer, more controlled system," Düpont continues.

"But we must go further. Cooperation agreements with African countries and other partners are needed to prevent irregular departures in the first place. The EU-Tunisia Agreement alone has reduced arrivals to Italy by 60% this year. Let us build on this success and conclude the negotiations with Morocco without delay," Düpont says.

"The EPP Group will continue to be the driving force, steering Europe towards a future where our borders are secure, and our approach to migration is both firm and fair," Tobé concludes.

The full text of the EPP Group's Action Plan can be read here.