EU ministers meet in Munich over tougher migration measures

Interior ministers from 17 European Union countries are meeting in Munich to discuss implementing a tougher migration policy, according to a spokesperson for German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The talks are expected to focus on further changes to the European Migration Pact, stronger protection of the EU’s external borders and faster returns of people whose asylum applications have failed. EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner is also due to attend.

Germany, Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece are scheduled to hold separate discussions on creating deportation centres or return hubs in third countries. Germany hopes to reach an arrangement with a country in Africa or possibly Asia by the end of the year. Dobrindt’s spokesperson said the EU border agency Frontex could be developed into a “border protection and genuine return agency”.

At present, individual EU member states are responsible for returning rejected asylum seekers. The Munich meeting is taking place as Germany also considers a possible bid to host a future Olympic Games. The German Olympic Sports Confederation is choosing between Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr after Berlin withdrew from the process.

The selected city could bid for the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games. Munich points to its existing Olympic Park and other sports facilities, while Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr proposes events spread across several cities, including Düsseldorf and Dortmund. The 2036 Games would fall 100 years after the Berlin Olympics held during the Nazi era.

A 2040 bid would coincide with the 50th anniversary of German reunification. Fifteen other German cities are also expected to host protests against planned reductions to social welfare spending.