European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set out five key priorities for EU migration management in a letter to leaders ahead of this week’s Brussels summit.
Irregular crossings of EU external borders have dropped 55% in two years to their lowest level since 2021. Asylum applications and secondary movements are also falling, while returns are rising. Von der Leyen warned, however, that sudden mass arrivals can still rapidly strain borders, citing the recent Ceuta crisis as an example.
The priorities are:
- Full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and restoration of full Schengen functioning
- Strengthening Frontex and external border controls, including a new rapid reaction force and Return Coordination Centre
- A more flexible emergency framework for exceptional migratory pressure
- Faster returns of those with no right to stay (currently only 32%), including possible return hubs in third countries
- Closer partnerships with origin and transit countries, with particular focus on Libya
The Entry-Exit System has already logged more than 204 million border crossings. Additional EU funding has been allocated for cooperation in eastern Libya.
Source: APE-MPA, 13 October 2026
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