Brussels Live · Press conference 2026-11-06
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[11:22:44] Speaker 2 [EN]
Good morning, everybody, and welcome to our Press Point on the second annual Migration Management Cycle under the Pact on Migration and Asylum. We have Commissioner Brunner here with us, and I give the floor directly to the Commissioner. You have the floor.

[11:22:58] Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) [EN]
Thank you very much, and good morning to everyone. Yeah, as you said, we are launching today the second annual Migration Management Cycle. So we are delivering, actually, on a core component of the pact, on migration and asylum. And it actually builds on the very positive results that we achieved during the last two years, notably the significant decrease of illegal migration to the European Union. And it also confirms that our new approach on migration with the new legal framework, with a stronger border protection, with new rules on returns, of course, also and also which is very important, a more active migration diplomacy. That all this together, all these reforms together, deliver the results. And with the annual cycle, we provide a yearly, as you know, a yearly overview of the asylum and migration situation in the European Union. And it's also to assess the migratory situation in the member states. And also to ensure that the balance between responsibility and solidarity of course keeps going. We also propose the annual solidarity pool for 2027. So as I said, our reforms are delivering, our new approach on migration is delivering strong results. Illegal migration is down, asylum applications are down, unauthorized movements within the European Union are down, and returns are going up. The numbers actually prove it. As we know, illegal migration went down by 55 percent in the last two years, another third this year already. And to give you a concrete example, the Western Balkan route, for instance, which was the most challenging route in the past, is down by 95 percent in the last years. Western Africans, Central Mediterranean, route down 80 percent in the last year. So you can also see the effects actually on the member states themselves. Just to give you a couple of examples there, Sweden has the lowest numbers ever recorded, Denmark the lowest numbers in 40 years, Austria returns more people than you have asylum applications, for the first time actually in over two decades. Germany, in Germany the asylum applications are down 80

[11:25:50] Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) [EN]
percent compared to two years ago. So the numbers are quite clear there. And this brings me to the next point, the pact. The pact is up, the pact is running. By now, all member states are applying the new rules of the pact. It's about, of course, restoring control. And also better preventing the abuse of our system. It's about speeding up the procedures as well. And it's also about decreasing the pressure altogether from illegal migration. And at the EU's external borders, all those arriving illegally are now apprehended, they are screened, and they are also registered. By the way, that's the same logic that applies to those also arriving legally. They are screened and registered with our new entry-exit system. The member states are putting the new border procedures to use directly at the external borders. And the figures from the first weeks are quite encouraging I would say. Over 15,000 until October. So that means faster decisions, that means swifter returns also for those who have no right to stay in the European Union directly from the external borders. And also another very important point is that all member states are connected to the new Eurodac database, which actually helps to prevent abuse and gives us also more control. And all that together gives the member states space also to provide protection for those who really need protection. So it creates space, of course, there as well. And now to the core of today's report, building on the strong results also from the first cycle, today we launched the second annual Migration Management Cycle. The first cycle actually proved that the system works. Rules are in force, and solidarity also delivers on what the member state agreed last year. So based on the data, based on the information provided by the member states and also on a sort of solid methodology, the report presents which member states will have access to solidarity, in the second cycle, and also which member states are facing significant migratory situations.

[11:28:42] Magnus Brunner (Commissioner) [EN]
And the new rules no member state, of course, is left alone to deal with this with the illegal migration. Those facing a significant migratory pressure can, of course, always count on others to provide solidarity and also support. And it is, this is also clear, it is for the contributing member states to decide how they can contribute. Be it financially, be it other contributions offsets or relocation. And at the same time, to benefit from the solidarity member states must, of course, always exercise their responsibility. And that is the core of the pact, altogether, responsibility and solidarity of course must go hand in hand. Maybe to conclude, we have as I said, I think already achieved a lot in the last two years. But good policy is always say never stops. Evolving and so therefore we will further also build on this on the common foundations to ensure that we continue to, of course, restore control, that we continue also to build more trust even between the member states and also, of course, more trust with the citizens. Thank you.

[11:30:11] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thanks very much. We can take a couple of questions. Really only a couple of questions the Commission has and ensuring engagement afterwards. But we can take some questions. We're starting with Dorota.

[11:30:21] Speaker 2 [EN]
So. Hello? Okay. Yes? Is it no? Yeah, okay. So is Dorota from Polish TV TVP? I would like to know which countries are excluded from participation in the solidarity pool next year. This year there were four countries, Poland, Croatia, Austria, and Czech Republic I think, that didn't have to take the migrants or contribute otherwise. Which countries will not have to participate in this solidarity mechanism in 2027, please? And if Poland is one of them, why? What were the arguments? Thank you.

[11:31:08] Speaker 3 [EN]
Okay, I'll concentrate on Poland in this case. Poland is, of course, among the member states facing a significant migratory situation. This is because Poland has been hosting and you were asking me for the reasons, hosting high numbers of beneficiaries from temporary protection from the Ukraine. And also, of course, faces challenges when it comes to weaponization, instrumentalization at the migration at the border. So nothing has changed for Poland from last year on that. And also for the other member states you were mentioning, so with this decision today, Poland, as you said, Poland can ask the Council then for a deduction from solidarity and then the Council will decide on that.

[11:32:03] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thank you very much, Matthia.

[11:32:09] Speaker 4 [EN]
Yes, hello, Commissioner Matthia Bagnoli. Answer the National Italian News Agency. Responsibility and solidarity in your assessment, Italy made some progress on responsibility, meaning obviously controlling secondary movement. But further progress is needed and you are going to carefully watch those progress. So my question is, is this a yellow card here? Thank you.

[11:32:40] Speaker 3 [EN]
Talking about football or no, I think Italy, and as you said, of course Italy is incredibly important for us when it comes to management. Migration. And we see in the results also, and that's why I was mentioning that, illegal arrivals are down over 55%. As I said before, in the central Mediterranean, this year already and also thanks to the measures taken actually by Italy. And this is, this has also a positive effect for the entire European Union. As you said, when it comes to the rules of the pact, we see that Italy has invested a lot and has made an important progress already. At the same time, of course, responsibility and solidarity, as I said, must continue to go hand in hand. And that will, of course, also be taken into account, as you said, we're going to monitor the situation very closely. But Italy is important and Italy has done a lot to improve the situation.

[11:33:53] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thanks very much. Yes, yeah, we have.

[11:33:57] Herr Commissar (Clemens Handel) [EN]
Thank you for the press point and for taking my question. Herr Commissar, Clemens Handel,

[11:34:01] Herr Commissar (Clemens Handel) [DE]
for ORF. Should Austria continue to be part of the solidarity exemption even though the number of asylum applications in Austria is at its lowest level in years? Austria has been able to provide solidarity. Why is Austria still part of the group of countries facing a significant migration situation?

[11:34:19] Speaker 3 [DE]
Because we have clear rules and a methodology that is also clear, which the Member States have agreed upon. And I say this precisely because Austria has also taken on a great deal of responsibility in the past when it comes to secondary migration. And this is also taken into account, of course, when it comes to this assessment. And therefore, we are proposing, yes, that Austria should have the possibility, in other words, that Austria should also be exempted from solidarity. Because Austria has indeed taken on a very, very high level of responsibility in recent years. And that is also being factored in.

[11:34:58] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thanks very much. We have time for two more questions. Alexandra.

[11:35:05] Alexandra Voudouri (Kathmerini) [EN]
Is it working? Okay. Commissioner, good morning. Alexandra Voudouri with Kathmerini. Beyond the assessment of migratory pressure, almost five months after the pact was entered into application, what is the Commission's initial assessment of its implementation in Greece? Particularly regarding border screening and registration procedures. And have you identified any concrete improvements since last year, at least? And what challenges remain? Thank you so much.

[11:35:35] Speaker 3 [EN]
Yeah, thank you very much. Greece is, of course, also an incredibly important for managing migration in Europe. And it plays a big role in our altogether, in our efforts to keep illegal migration down. And this has also same with Italy, of course, a positive effect on the whole European Union. When it comes concretely to Greece, so while overall actually the arrivals along the eastern Mediterranean route has decreased, Greece, of course, has still challenges. Definitely. Greece has challenges, of course, especially due to the arrivals from Libya. That is why we are engaging with our partner countries along the eastern corridor to prevent these dangerous journeys and also there, Greece, of course, is incredibly important. When it comes to the rules, of the pact, Greece will therefore like last year have access to the solidarity pool and Greece is actually making an effective use of the new border procedure. So that's very good news. Greece is doing a very good job. And it is also increasing returns by the way. And that sense I would say a very clear message from Greece to the rest of the world. Very good news. And Greece is also delivering on the responsibility and solidarity part. And that strengthens also our common system altogether and builds also helps to build trust among the member states.

[11:37:18] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thanks very much. One more question. You know all of you, we will have the technical briefing coming afterwards. So you'll have ample time to ask your questions. We will explain everything afterwards. But one more question now because the Commissioner has to leave. Miguel.

[11:37:35] Miguel Salvatierra (FS Spanish News Agency) [EN]
Hi, Miguel Salvatierra for FS Spanish News Agency. I would like to ask first about the general situation in Spain. I would like to know if the Commission considers Spain did a good job facing migration. And also I would like to know why did you consider the incidents in Ceuta? If I'm not wrong, the report analyzes data between July 2025 and June 2026. I just would like to know why did you analyze that. Thank you.

[11:38:06] Speaker 3 [EN]
Yeah, Spain is of course one of the four. Member states under migratory pressure. And it was already last year. And the reasons are also, as I said, fact-based I would say. And it's a part of our, as I mentioned before, of our solid methodology. Just to know, for this year, Spain accounted for around 20% of all illegal border crossings at the European Union level. And that was and was actually the third member state to for arrivals through search and rescue. Also search and rescue operations. Especially to the Canary Islands, of course, but also the Balearic Islands. And yes, Ceuta indeed, Ceuta, the situation in Ceuta has been taken into account also in our assessment. And it tells us altogether with the facts, the figures I was mentioning, that Spain is under migratory pressure. As I said, it's about the facts, the figures, the solid methodology. We have and the assessment is based on that. So yes, Spain is under pressure. That's what we suggest.

[11:39:23] Speaker 1 [EN]
Thanks very much, everybody. This ends our press conference for now. You will have the chance to ask more questions now in the technical briefing. Thanks, Commissioner. Thanks, everybody, for coming. See you soon.

[11:39:34] Speaker 3 [EN]
Thank you very much.