Interior ministers from six European Union countries, including Germany, France, and Poland, gathered at Germany's Zugspitze summit on Friday to solidify a unified stance on curbing irregular migration. The ministers emphasized strengthening border controls, accelerating deportations, and combating human trafficking networks as part of a broader effort to restore public trust in EU migration systems.
In a joint declaration, officials highlighted the need for 'effective returns' of migrants without legal status and urged the European Commission to prioritize funding for border protection. The meeting, attended by EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Magnus Brunner, underscored concerns over strained asylum systems and the growing political pressure to address migration challenges.
Germany's Interior Ministry confirmed the deportation of 81 Afghan nationals on the same day, marking the second such action since the Taliban's 2021 takeover and the first under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration. The move aligns with the bloc's renewed focus on enforcement, though critics argue it risks overlooking humanitarian obligations.
Analysts suggest the Zugspitze meeting signals a shift toward stricter policies ahead of EU-wide elections, with implications for cross-continental migration trends and regional stability.
