Magnus Brunner addresses the LIBE committee on current migration issues

Magnus Brunner, Austrian Minister of the Interior, recently addressed the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) to discuss key issues related to migration and security. His speech touched upon the many challenges that Europe is currently grappling with in the area of migration, as well as the challenges that EU countries face in their efforts to ensure safe and sustainable migration policies. This dialogue reflects the importance of cooperation on migration between EU countries and underlines the need for effective action.

Main topics of discussion

During his speech, Brunner touched on several important issues, including:

• Tightening border controls to prevent illegal migration.
• Joint efforts of EU countries on repatriation of migrants who have not received a residence permit.
• Ensuring a fairer distribution of migrants between EU countries.
• Measures to protect human rights and provide humanitarian assistance in emergency situations.

These topics formed the basis for discussions on the possibilities of improving the EU migration policy aimed at maintaining order and humane treatment of migrants.

Border control and security

One of the main topics was strengthening security at the external borders of the European Union. Brunner stressed the importance of preventing illegal entry into the EU, especially given the growing flows of migrants. The EU is considering strengthening cooperation with third countries and increasing funding for modernizing border infrastructure.

Strengthening border controls requires the following measures:

• Expanding the staff of border services and improving their technical support.
• Introduction of new technologies for border monitoring and control.
• Strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries to exchange information and conduct joint operations.

These measures should improve the security of the EU’s borders and prevent the entry of illegal migrants, thereby reducing the burden on countries that are at the forefront of migration flows.

Resettlement and fair distribution of migrants

In order to ensure an even distribution of migrants between EU countries, Minister Brunner proposed a number of changes aimed at improving the system of resettlement and refugees. The migration burden on individual EU countries is becoming a serious problem, and the EU is seeking to introduce mechanisms that would help to distribute migrants fairly in order to ease the situation in border states.

Key offerings include:

• Introduction of quotas for the resettlement of migrants to countries with the lowest migration burden.
• Establishing standards for the distribution of migrants, taking into account economic and social conditions in EU countries.
• Establishing funds to help countries that bear the greatest burden of receiving migrants.

These measures will help create a fairer and more sustainable system for distributing migrants across the EU and support those countries that face the greatest difficulties.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Obligations

During his speech, Brunner stressed the commitment of Austria and the EU as a whole to protecting the rights of migrants and providing humanitarian aid to those in need. It is important to remember that migrants, regardless of their status, deserve to be treated with respect and fairness. The EU continues to develop initiatives aimed at improving conditions for migrants. In particular, the following measures were proposed:

• Improving conditions of detention in temporary accommodation centres for migrants.
• Establishing mechanisms to expedite the process of reviewing asylum applications.
• Development of programs for the integration of migrants into host societies.

These steps are aimed at ensuring the rights of migrants and their safe stay in the EU, which is especially important in crisis situations related to migration.

Conclusion

Magnus Brunner’s speech at the LIBE Committee underlines the seriousness of the migration crisis in Europe and the need to find new solutions to overcome it. Strengthening border controls, fair distribution of migrants and protection of human rights are the measures that the EU plans to implement to create a more sustainable and humane migration system. These issues require joint efforts of all EU countries and a coordinated approach to respond to the challenges facing Europe in the field of migration.