Ursula von der Leyen proposes new EU migration management priorities

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined five key priorities for European migration policy in a letter addressed to EU leaders ahead of the upcoming summit in Brussels. The proposals focus on strengthening external border management, accelerating the return of irregular migrants, and establishing a new framework for managing emergency situations.

To address mass arrivals, von der Leyen suggests transforming Frontex into a more robust European capacity. This includes strengthening its permanent corps, creating a European reserve for border operations and returns, establishing a rapid reaction force for crises, and setting up a return coordination center. The plan also aims to improve information sharing and social media monitoring.

Von der Leyen noted that illegal border crossings have fallen to their lowest levels since 2021, decreasing by 55% over the last two years. However, she warned that sudden mass arrivals, such as the crisis in Ceuta, demonstrate that migratory pressure remains a significant threat from the Mediterranean to the EU’s eastern borders. A primary goal is the full implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact to ensure fair responsibility sharing among member states.