Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt met with his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark and the Czech Republic at the Zugspitze on 18 July 2025.
Together with EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner, and Parliamentary State Secretary Daniela Ludwig, they discussed key steps for the reorganisation of European migration policy. In a joint declaration, the ministers called for a swift and decisive implementation of a stricter migration policy in Europe and agreed on the following five objectives:
1. More efficient European migration and asylum system The ministers reaffirmed their support for the CEAS but called for improvements. Asylum procedures should be faster and more efficient in future. Bureaucracy and unnecessary costs should be reduced. Anyone who has already been granted protection status in one EU country will quickly have their application rejected in other member states. Legal protection for these cases should be limited.
2. Fight smuggling and human traffickers more effectively The fight against smugglers and human traffickers was a key topic. The ministers called for a coordinated and decisive approach. Financial investigations against smuggling networks are to be intensified, as are negotiations on anti-smuggling agreements with third countries.
3. Consistently implement returns Returns should be organised more efficiently and with legal certainty. The ministers called for a new return regulation at EU level that gives member states more freedom of action and for the possibility to establish return centres in third countries.
4. Better protection of European borders In order to ensure a well-functioning Schengen area with free movement of people, goods and services, the external borders must be effectively secured.
5. Strategic partnerships with third countries Cooperation with countries of origin and transit countries should be significantly expanded. Innovative solutions such as asylum procedures in third countries, return centres (return hubs) and safe arrival points are seen as possible approaches.