Border controls: Wadephul explains Germany's new migration strategy!

Border controls: Wadephul explains Germany's new migration strategy!

In the last few days, the topic of irregular migration has been intensively discussed in German and Czech politics. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Prague and placed German border controls with the Czech Republic and Poland at the center of his argument. Loud TRT Wadephul emphasized the need to better manage migration, as it affects all EU countries. He described the current border controls as a “transitional phase” that should last until the introduction of a common European asylum system and the strengthening of protection of the external borders.

In the discussion about these measures, Wadephul pointed out that the temporary controls should not be at the expense of cross-border commuters. Poland has already introduced random checks on the border with Germany, while the Czech Republic has not yet announced any such plans. Minister Jan Lipavsky spoke of a “significant convergence” of views between the two countries since the change of government in Germany.

Development of asylum applications and migration

Migration in Germany will also have interesting developments in 2024. Around 250,900 people applied for asylum, which represents a decrease of a third compared to the previous year Media service integration reported. At the same time, the number of unauthorized border crossings into Germany fell by 36% to around 83,000 people. This is primarily due to the increased border controls in Germany and other European countries.

The refugees chose various routes, with the majority entering via the German-Polish border. What is particularly striking is that a third of these entries took place via the Belarus route. Despite the controls and the declining numbers, migration researchers believe there is no direct connection between border controls and the number of asylum applications. In 2024, asylum applications in the EU fell by 11.6% to around one million.

European travel options and the Blue Card

In the midst of this migration dynamic, it is also worth mentioning the EU Blue Card, which makes it easier for highly qualified specialists from non-EU countries to access the European labor market. In 2023, around 89,000 highly qualified workers received an EU Blue Card, with Germany leading the way with 69,000 issuances, according to data from Eurostat show. These immigration options show that more and more people from countries such as India, Russia and Turkey are choosing to live in Europe.

Overall, the issue of migration remains a crucial element for the future of the EU, influencing not only political decisions but also social integration and workforce development. As German and Czech ministers continue to work towards closer cooperation and continue the “Strategic Dialogue” until 2027, the EU faces the challenge of finding solutions that meet both the needs of migrants and the security interests of member states.