Bratislava/Brussels – Migration is, according to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, one of the biggest challenges for the European Union and a problem that transcends its borders. People have serious concerns about it, and if they feel that these concerns are not being taken into account, it may also affect their behavior in the voting booth, Brunner stated in an interview with TASR ahead of his working visit to Slovakia on Thursday.
“It is our role as politicians to respond to people’s concerns with practical and functioning solutions. This is not about the left, the right, or the center, but about providing member states with the tools to act – both within the EU and in cooperation with our partners around the world,” he said. He emphasized the need to strengthen the Union’s external borders, take action against human traffickers, and enable member countries to cooperate without unnecessary obstacles.
According to Magnus BrunnerEurope has faced several tests over the past decade since the major migration wave, which clearly revealed the weaknesses of the asylum system. “The priority in the area of migration should be to build trust among people that we have the situation in Europe under control. To achieve this, we must manage migration fairly and decisively while coordinating measures at the European level,” he added.
This task is to be fulfilled by the Pact on Migration and Asylumwhich was approved in the first half of last year and will come into effect in June 2026. “Currently, we are still operating under outdated rules, and many member states and their citizens are rightly frustrated with a system that no longer works,” he noted. The pact also includes the principle of solidarity, which several countries, including the Visegrad Group (V4) states, oppose.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum ensures that responsibility and solidarity go hand in hand
“It ensures that responsibility and solidarity go hand in hand. In general, countries at the external borders of the Union bear a large share of the responsibility for implementing border procedures, security checks, and registering asylum applications. Solidarity is an essential counterbalance to this responsibility. If one country is under pressure, others will step in to help,” he stated.
Brunner pointed out that migration poses a challenge that far exceeds the borders of the EU. According to him, it is crucial to streamline return policies while also strengthening cooperation with countries along migration routes and with the countries of origin of migrants. “This means intensifying diplomacy in the area of migration and building comprehensive partnerships to address its root causes,” he added, noting that this approach is already yielding results and the number of illegal migrants has decreased.
The EU aims to use various tools for this goal – from visa policy and trade to development aid. “It is not just about preventing dangerous journeys, but also about securing the talents that Europe needs to support the domestic labor market and maintain global competitiveness,” he explained to TASR.
In addition to the proposed measures, the EU must also explore new ways to return individuals who do not have the right to stay in the Union, including allowing member states to negotiate the establishment of return centers. “These centers would operate based on clear guarantees and rules,” he said in relation to concerns about the violation of migrants’ rights in third countries.
Brunner also touched on Slovakia’s key role in assisting displaced persons from Ukraine, who have found safety, shelter, and opportunities in member states. “Slovakia has shown extraordinary solidarity and provided protection to more than 130,000 Ukrainians. This generosity will be remembered forever by the families and children who received help in times of need,” he stated. According to him, the security of Ukraine is also the security of Europe. As the situation in Ukraine remains uncertain, the EU has extended the temporary protection status for its citizens until spring next year. “At the same time, we have prepared for a smooth transition after its expiration, including support for safe and dignified returns now and in the future,” Brunner concluded. (September 10)
