Bundesminister Alexander Dobrindt assured the public that the European migration crisis of 2015 would not be repeated. Speaking to the Focus, the CSU politician stated that it has become very clear in recent days that no longer is any EU member state willing to accept a loss of control akin to what happened in 2015.
In response to the Ceuta crisis, Dobrindt confirmed that his ministry is planning further measures. He explained that they are currently negotiating with third countries to reduce immigration figures, citing the establishment of “Return Hubs” as a method to decrease pull factors. According to Dobrindt, if the foreseeable outcome of the difficult and often dangerous journey to Europe is no longer landing in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, or Denmark, but rather a Return Hub outside of Europe, many individuals will not undertake the journey at all due to the deterrent effect.
Regarding the Spanish government’s reaction to the influx, Dobrindt noted that Spain has responded, and the majority of illegal migrants have already left Ceuta. He added that the root causes of the situation and why not earlier action was taken are currently being analyzed at the European level. He reiterated that it has become undeniably clear recently that no EU member state will tolerate the loss of control experienced in 2015, and he insisted that the EU’s promise includes a functioning external border protection that must be guaranteed.
