EU’s Border Protection Agency, Frontex, Sees Significant Drop in Irregular Migrant Arrivals
According to numbers to be released on Tuesday, the total of irregular border crossings in the past year has significantly decreased, with a total of 239,000, a 38% drop from the previous year. This marks the first time the numbers have returned to the level of 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was still a major factor in restricting travel.
Despite the decline, the Executive Director of Frontex, Hans Leijtens, emphasized the continued risks, stating, “Tomorrow could bring new routes, new pressure, or even new geopolitical tactics, where migrants are used as pawns to test the resolve of Europe.” Leijtens stressed the need for Frontex to be properly equipped to respond to these challenges.
The decline is largely attributed to a reduction in two major routes: the number of arrivals from Tunisia and Libya in Italy has dropped to 66,800, a 59% decrease from the previous year. This development on the central Mediterranean route is primarily due to “better cooperation with the North African countries, particularly Tunisia” said Leijtens, adding that the cooperation with Tunisia is a crucial factor in dismantling smuggler networks. The European Union signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Tunisia in the middle of last year, which is now showing its effects.
On the Western Balkan route, there were 21,500 irregular border crossings, a 78% decrease from the previous year. Leijtens attributed this to “the stricter visa policy and the close cooperation with Frontex.” The countries in the region are striving to adapt to EU standards, including stricter border controls and better migration management, which includes the issuance of visas. In response to Brussels’ pressure, the states have introduced a visa requirement for some countries, whose citizens also need a visa for the EU.
The eastern Mediterranean route to Greece was the most important way for irregular migrants to enter the EU last year, with numbers increasing by 14% to 69,400. On the western Mediterranean route, the numbers remained stable at 17,000, while on the West African route, they increased by 18% to 46,900. Irregular arrivals from Russia and Belarus at the EU’s northeastern borders have quadrupled to 17,000, although only a small part, around 20%, is attributed to the targeted, government-supported smuggling of migrants from Africa, often from Ethiopia and Somalia. “The increase in irregular border crossings at the eastern border is mainly due to Ukrainian men evading military service by crossing between official checkpoints” said Leijtens.
The largest group of irregular migrants discovered was once again Syrians, but the number decreased from 107,800 to 45,200, according to internal Frontex numbers. Afghans came in second, with around 18,200 irregular arrivals, a decrease from 19,900 in the previous year. The statistics also show people from Mali (15,700), Bangladesh (15,300), Ukraine (14,200), and Egypt (11,400).