EU ministers vow tougher migration policy within bloc

Ministers from six EU nations convened at Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, on Friday and issued a joint declaration aimed at curbing irregular migration.

The declaration reaffirmed "a common commitment to work together on reducing illegal migration effectively," stressing that effective returns are essential to maintain public trust in a balanced European migration policy. It also underscored the importance of protecting the EU's external borders and called on the European Commission to provide sufficient funding in this regard.

The ministers also pledged stronger and coordinated efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The meeting was hosted by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and attended by his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.