EU summit in Copenhagen: Karner calls for tougher measures against migration!

EU summit in Copenhagen: Karner calls for tougher measures against migration!

The discussion about illegal migration was the central topic at the informal migration summit that took place in Copenhagen on Tuesday. The Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and the EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, among others, took part in this important meeting. Karner urgently emphasized the need to reduce pressure on the EU's external borders and prevent human deaths in the Mediterranean. He called for the creation of asylum procedures and return centers outside Europe in order to ease the situation at the external borders. Another item on Karner's agenda was the abolition of the so-called "connection criterion", which allows deportations only to countries with which migrants have a connection, which he said complicates the return process.

Karner reported on a rethink among many EU partner countries and called for more robust deportation measures. He emphasized that following the recent returns to Syria and Afghanistan, a broad consensus has emerged among European interior ministers that returns should no longer only concern individual cases. According to the latest figures, there were a total of 75,900 illegal border crossings at the EU's external borders from January to June 2025, representing a decrease of 20% compared to the previous year.

Migration statistics

Particularly notable are the significant declines in border crossings from the Western Balkans and the Eastern land border, which were reduced by 53 and 50% respectively. In contrast, there was an increase in refugees on the routes to Great Britain (+23%), in the Western Mediterranean (+19%) and in the Central Mediterranean (+12%). Danish Interior Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek emphasized that asylum applications do not necessarily have to be processed within the EU in order to disrupt the smugglers' business model.

In addition, some EU representatives cited reception centers in Albania and Rwanda as positive examples, but a separate European model needs to be developed. Magnus Brunner emphasized that this was only possible through negotiations with third countries and that the decision to set up such centers rested with each member state. In Austria, the discussion was met with criticism, particularly from the FPÖ, which rated the measures taken as inadequate and pointed to the ongoing problems of illegal migration.

Asylum procedure in the EU

A comprehensive look at the current refugee situation shows that, according to UNHCR, a total of 117.3 million people will be displaced in 2023, with 67.1 million internally displaced and 37.4 million refugees under UN protection. A large proportion of refugees find refuge in low- and middle-income countries, with 70% of refugees remaining in neighboring countries. The causes of flight are diverse, including conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution.

Asylum applications in the EU in 2023 are important in a European context. According to the data provided, most initial applications were made by nationals from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. Venezuelans, Colombians and Peruvians are also among the most common applicants. Germany, France, Italy and Spain are the countries with the most initial applications, with Germany leading the way with 329,035 applications. The average recognition rate varies greatly between EU states; Germany has a rate of 52%, while Spain, for example, only achieves 12%.

In 2023, Germany also issued the largest number of EU Blue Cards, which provide work and residence permits to highly qualified individuals, recording 69,000 cards issued. In total, around 89,000 highly qualified non-EU workers received an EU Blue Card, with India as the main substitute country. These developments shed new light on the complex aspects of migration in the European Union and the challenges facing Member States.

The current situation regarding migration and refugees requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach from the EU. The events in Copenhagen could serve as a starting point for further progress in addressing these important issues.
Further information is available on crown, Eurostat and Destatis.