Valtice (Břeclavsko) – The migration pact is not enough to address migration within the European Union. Additional measures need to be implemented, such as building return centers, ensuring faster and more efficient returns, or cooperating with third countries. This was stated by Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan (STAN) at a press conference following the meeting of the interior ministers of the Salzburg Forum in Valtice today.
“Although the numbers of illegal migration in the Czech Republic are the lowest in the last five years, including transit migration, we all feel that it is a serious problem for the whole of Europe,” the minister said. According to him, countries are now trying to introduce stricter asylum migration legislation into their laws, which has already happened in the Czech Republic. “But at the same time, we say that it is not enough,” Rakušan declared. He believes that European countries need new concepts and challenges.
According to the minister, the migration pact is not a perfect solution. Countries should build so-called return hubs for refugees, even outside the territory of the European Union. They should ensure quick and efficient returns. An important part is also cooperation and assistance to third countries to address the root causes of migration.
Data from the police for the first half of this year indicates that the number of cases of illegal residence and illegal migration across the external Schengen border has increased by ten percent year-on-year. However, transit illegal migration has decreased by 62.6 percent year-on-year. During the monitored period, it involved 52 people who entered the Czech Republic, with more than half of the cases occurring after arriving on intra-Schengen flights from Greece. According to the police, the significant year-on-year decrease in both land and air travel is the result of lower migratory pressure from the Western Balkan route, particularly due to measures implemented by individual states and international cooperation in border security.
According to European Commissioner Magnus Brunnerjoint efforts have led to a 21 percent decrease in migration, with a 47 percent decrease in the Western Balkans. “Ten years ago, we were not fully prepared for the large migration crisis. Member states took on a significant degree of responsibility, but there were no rules and control over what was happening in the member states. We want to avoid that now, and the migration pact helps us in that, although there are still many issues to resolve, such as returns,” he said.
The Salzburg Forum was established in 2001 as a tool for communication between Austria and the countries of Central Europe. The forum focuses primarily on issues of police cooperation, illegal migration, and the harmonization of asylum procedures. It has nine members, including the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, as well as Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia. The Czech Republic is presiding over the forum in the second half of this year. (September 12)
