KOMARNO, Slovakia — Leaders from Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia gathered on Tuesday to discuss strategies for combating illegal migration into the European Union. As they met along the Hungarian border, they emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation and additional EU funding to tackle this pressing issue.
Assessing the Situation
The trio noted significant progress in curbing migration, particularly from the Middle East and Africa, which often traverses the Balkan route before entering the EU. “This year, there are 80% fewer migrants (in Serbia) than last year,” stated Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, following discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Looking to the Future
Illegal migration has remained a contentious political dilemma nearly a decade after the European crisis of 2015, where about 1 million people arrived in the EU. In contrast, the number of illegal crossings within the western Balkans plummeted by 79% year-on-year to under 17,000 in the first nine months of 2024, according to the border agency Frontex. Vucic confirmed that Serbia, despite not being an EU member, will not host hotspots for illegal migrants.
New Strategies and Collaboration
Orban stressed that asylum applications need to be evaluated before allowing entry into the EU. He suggested establishing external centres for processing applications in non-EU countries, similar to Italy’s recent cooperation with Albania to stem boat crossings. This approach is seen as a potential model to manage migration flows.
The Economic Dimension
Fico, who hosted the summit, deemed fighting illegal migration an absolute priority for Europe. He stated that discussions around the EU budget post-2027 must ensure that a significant portion is allocated to this cause, highlighting the serious threats posed by illegal migration.
As the leaders continue to work together, their coordinated efforts could pave the way for a more effective migration framework in Europe.