BERLIN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Ministers from six EU nations convened at Germany's highest peak, the Zugspitze, on Friday and issued a joint declaration aimed at curbing irregular migration.
The declaration reaffirmed "a common commitment to work together on reducing illegal migration effectively," stressing that effective returns are essential to maintain public trust in a balanced European migration policy.
It also underscored the importance of protecting the EU's external borders and called on the European Commission to provide sufficient funding in this regard.
Acknowledging the pressure that large numbers of illegal migrants place on national asylum systems, the ministers also pledged stronger and coordinated efforts to combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
The meeting was hosted by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and attended by his counterparts from France, Poland, Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner was also present.
The gathering on Germany's highest peak aimed to chart a path towards a tougher European migration policy and to draw up an agenda to accelerate migration reform across Europe, according to a statement from Germany's interior ministry.
Also on Friday, Germany deported 81 Afghan nationals. This marked the second group deportation since the Afghan interim government assumed power in August 2021, and the first such move under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration. ■
