European Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner is due to travel to Greece on Tuesday for talks with Greek leadership regarding the still unresolved problem of illegal migration and for better border control, a visit that comes as migrant smuggling rings are increasingly using a maritime “southern route” from North Africa to Crete.

Brunner will be received by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, while he’ll later hold talks with FM George Gerapetritis and newly sworn-in Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris.

Brunner

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner speaks during a press conference after first day of the informal meeting of justice and home affairs ministers in Warsaw, Poland, 30 January 2025. Home Affairs ministers will focus on enhancing EU security, with discussions on migration, civil protection, and preventing organized crime at their informal meeting. EPA/LESZEK SZYMANSKI

Implementing the 2024 EU Pact on Migration and Asylum will reportedly top the agenda of talks, along with the goal of more effective returns of irregular migrants to their home country and better border management.

Additionally, the tense situation in the Middle East and the situation in Libya, which has emerged of late as an “assembly point” for migrant smugglers, will be discussed during the Brunner visit.

European Council conclusions

Last week one of the more prominent passages in the European Council conclusions noted that “…including in the light of the recent letter from the President of the Commission, and encourages an intensification of work in particular on: the external dimension, notably through comprehensive partnerships; the implementation of adopted EU legislation and the application of existing legislation; the prevention and countering of irregular migration, including through new ways in line with EU and international law; efforts to facilitate, increase and accelerate returns, using all relevant EU policies, instruments and tools; the concepts of safe third countries and safe countries of origin; the fight against instrumentalisation, human trafficking and smuggling; visa policy alignment by neighbouring countries; as well as safe and legal pathways in line with national competences. The European Council recalls the EU’s determination to strengthen security at its external borders and ensure their effective control, in line with EU and international law.”

Specifically in terms of Libya and the migrant flows now emanating from that strife-plagued country, the conclusions underlined that “…The European Council addressed the worrying situation in Libya, and its possible consequences also in terms of European security, as well as concerning migratory flows.”