The European Union (EU) is witnessing a surge in both legal and illegal migrant arrivals, leading to the temporary re-introduction of border controls by several member states. Countries such as Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia have reinstated stricter checks due to various reasons including pressure on the asylum reception system and threats of arms trafficking.
Finland, in particular, has temporarily closed all but one of its eight passenger crossings to Russia, accusing Moscow of transporting an unusually high number of migrants to its border. This move has been seen as a response to the increase in asylum-seekers from Russia to Finland, leading to the closure of four border crossing points.
In the United Kingdom, the Supreme Court has rejected the government's 'cash for asylum seekers' deal with Rwanda. This decision could potentially influence future agreements between EU countries and third countries on migration. In addition, the UK and Austria are working together on 'third country' asylum schemes, extending the EU's southern borders beyond the Mediterranean Sea.
The EU is also shifting to digital visas for the Schengen area, a move that could streamline the process for legal migration while providing better tracking for illegal movements.
Meanwhile, in Croatia, a key route for refugees and migrants trying to reach western Europe, pressure is increasing on the Karlovac region. The number of foreign smugglers has risen, with 70% of suspected smugglers arrested in Croatia being foreigners. The Croatian interior ministry reported a total of 1,103 arrests between January and October, up from 672 over the same period last year. In response, authorities are converting a former military facility into a migrant registration centre.