Frontex Reports a 35% Decrease in Illegal Border Crossings
The European Union's border agency, Frontex, has reported a substantial decline in illegal border crossings along Europe's external borders during the first eight months of the current year. With over 74,000 unauthorized entries recorded, this marks a remarkable 35 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. This information was shared by Frontex from its headquarters in Warsaw, highlighting a positive trend in managing migratory pressures across the continent.
This significant reduction across nearly all major migration routes can be attributed to ongoing collaboration with partner nations and proactive measures implemented in the primary countries of origin for migrants. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner emphasized the effectiveness of the European migration strategy, stating, "The numbers speak for themselves. Illegal border crossings have been steadily declining for the past 14 months." He urged the EU to maintain its efforts to strengthen external borders and ensure that these advancements are firmly established.
Challenges in Assessing Migration to Ceuta
However, Frontex acknowledged in its report that the figures do not accurately reflect the large-scale migratory movements from Morocco to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta that occurred at the end of July. It is likely that a definitive total cannot be established, as many of those who crossed the border returned to Morocco before they could be registered. According to the Spanish government, approximately 80,000 individuals entered the exclave at one point, while Morocco estimated the number of arrivals to be around 40,000. Tragically, 83 people lost their lives while attempting to reach Ceuta, prompting a debate over the protection of the EU's external borders and Spain's responsibilities in this regard.
Sources within Frontex indicated that while the situation at the EU's external borders was generally calm throughout the summer, the events at Ceuta demonstrated how rapidly a peaceful border situation can change. Smuggling networks are unlikely to disappear even if the numbers of crossings decrease; rather, human traffickers are expected to wait for the next opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities. Frontex must remain vigilant and prepared at this critical moment.
Data from Frontex also revealed an increase in the number of boat migrants in the western Mediterranean, with primary migration routes continuing to be through the sea. The eastern Mediterranean route from Turkey to Greece and the central Mediterranean route from Libya and Tunisia to Italy and Malta accounted for nearly 60 percent of all recorded irregular entries. While there was a notable decline in both of these routes, Frontex observed a 34 percent rise along the migration route through the western Mediterranean to Spain.
As reported by live.deutsche-boerse.com.
