Prime Minister Janša Joins European Leaders in Calling for Urgent EU Action on Migration Pressure

Prime Minister Janez Janša | Author KPV

The signatories express their serious concern over the large-scale illegal crossings of the European Union's external border, warning that the current situation undermines confidence in the EU's common migration policy. They also stress that recent decisions making the swift return of irregular migrants more difficult, as well as the regularisation of a large number of persons without legal status, create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union may ultimately lead to lawful residence.

The letter, initiated by Denmark, calls for an extraordinary videoconference of the EU Ministers of the Interior to coordinate a common response aimed at protecting the Union's external borders and supporting Spain in addressing the situation. Proposed measures include enhanced support from Frontex, a review of EU cooperation with Morocco, and additional measures to prevent further uncontrolled border crossings.

The signatories further emphasise that protecting the Union's external borders, preventing illegal migration, and demonstrating solidarity with Member States facing the greatest migration pressures are shared responsibilities of the European Union. In their view, the current situation requires unity, determination and swift action by the European institutions.

The letter was signed by the leaders of Italy, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Sweden, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Austria.

The full letter is published below.

Dear President Costa,
Dear President von der Leyen,
Dear Taoiseach,

We are writing to express our serious concern regarding the recent developments at
the external border of the European Union in Ceuta. We are determined to prevent
smugglers from challenging the integrity of the Union 's external borders.

We recognise that the recent ruling of the Spanish Supreme Court has been used to
trigger this attack and abuse our migration and asylum system. At the same time, we
have a duty to effectively deter and relentlessly combat illegal migration, by
coordinating our action, strengthening our external borders and addressing all policies that can serve as pull factors, such as the regularization of very large number of irregular migrants.

We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalisation of migration or
other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible. That a migrant 's illegal entry can turn into legal stay.

Such a perception would encourage further attempts, undermine confidence in our
common migration policy and have repercussions for all Member States. The current
situation also underlines the importance of the Chisinau Declaration on migration and
the need for its swift and effective implementation.

The events of the last days require an immediate and coordinated European response.
We welcome that Spain and Morocco are cooperating closely to ensure the swift return
of migrants that entered illegally and that a large number of them have already been
returned. We expect that, with the support of the European Union, the current situation
will come under full control.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, we would ask the Irish Presidency of the
Council of the European Union to convene, as a matter of urgency, an extraordinary
videoconference of the Ministers of the Interior. This meeting should allow for a
common assessment of the situation and agreement on a coordinated European
response, including the rapid mobilisation of available EU instruments and the
necessary support to Spain to restore effective control of the Union 's external border
and prevent further uncontrolled crossings. Ministers should in particular consider
enhanced Frontex support and the effectiveness of EU cooperation with Morocco.

We take note that no unauthorized onward movements have been recorded towards
Europe. We reiterate our readiness to take any necessary measures, in accordance with
Union law and the Schengen Borders Code, to safeguard public order and address risks
arising from secondary movements, including through reinforcing or reintroducing
temporary internal border controls.

The European Council has consistently stressed that protecting the Union 's external
borders, preventing illegal migration and secondary movements, and ensuring
solidarity with Member States at the frontline or under particular pressure are shared
European responsibilities. The current situation calls for unity, determination an d
urgency.

We count on your leadership to ensure that the European Union responds swiftly,
effectively and in a coordinated manner.

Yours sincerely,

Giorgia Meloni
Prime Minister of Italy

Christian Stocker
Federal Chancellor of Austria

Rumen Radev
Prime Minister of Bulgaria

Andrej Plenković
Prime Minister of Croatia

Kristen Michal
Prime Minister of Estonia

Friedrich Merz
Federal Chancellor of Germany

Péter Magyar
Prime Minister of Hungary

Gitanas Nausėda
President of the Republic of Lithuania

Rob Jetten
Prime Minister of the Netherlands

Mette Frederiksen
Prime Minister of Denmark

Bart De Wever
Prime Minister of Belgium

Nikos Christodoulides
President of Cyprus

Andrej Babiš
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Petteri Orpo
Prime Minister of Finland

Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prime Minister of Greece

Andris Kulbergs
Prime Minister of Latvia

Robert Abela
Prime Minister of Malta

Donald Tusk
Prime Minister of Poland

Nicușor Dan
President of Romania

Robert Fico
Prime Minister of Slovakia

Janez Janša
Prime Minister of Slovenia

Ulf Kristersson
Prime Minister of Sweden