EU Commission proposes 5-point plan to respond to mass arrivals at external borders

The European Commission proposed a five-point plan on Tuesday to help the EU prevent and respond to sudden, large-scale irregular arrivals at its external borders.

The proposal follows a surge in arrivals in Ceuta this summer, which the Commission said showed how quickly an emergency could develop despite irregular border crossings being at their lowest since 2021, according to a statement.

The plan calls for stronger cooperation with partner countries, reinforced external borders, improved early warning systems, action against migrant smuggling networks and more effective returns.

Among the proposals is a new European Emergency Response Framework for situations in which mass movements of people are “engineered and weaponised.”

The Commission also plans to propose a stronger mandate for the EU border agency, Frontex, including personnel and equipment that could be deployed immediately and a larger role in returns.

To improve early warning, the Commission wants Frontex to be able to monitor social media in connection with external border management. It also urged member states to report developments affecting the borders promptly through the EU’s surveillance system, EUROSUR.

The plan seeks closer cooperation with online platforms and financial institutions to identify smuggling activity and illicit financial flows. It also urges the Council to adopt a proposed sanctions regime allowing asset freezes and travel bans against migrant smugglers.

On returns, the Commission called for greater cooperation with countries of origin and transit on readmission and wider use of Frontex support.

“We will reinforce our foundation of strong external borders, effective migration diplomacy, the Pact on Migration and Asylum, and credible returns,” said EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner.

The plan will be presented to member states at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting Oct. 1-2.