Marlaska champions “prevention at source” after irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands fall
During the ninth MED5 summit, which brought together interior, migration and asylum officials from Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain, Interior Minister Fernando Grande‑Marlaska called on Saturday for “focusing efforts and resources on prevention at origin” as the most effective way to curb irregular migrant arrivals.
“Spanish experience with African countries shows that we only manage to reduce irregular migration by establishing comprehensive alliances based on trust and mutual benefit,” he explained at the summit in Vittoriosa, Malta.
Marlaska highlighted the 63% reduction in irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands and warned against the risk of “redefining and loosening” provisions already agreed in the European migration pact, such as the principle of effective solidarity.
“We reaffirm the importance of ensuring that the solidarity mechanism provides support tailored to the needs of member states facing migration pressure,” he said during the plenary, describing the upcoming launch of the annual solidarity mechanism—which will set each country’s contributions and needs—as decisive.
He also voiced doubts about the effectiveness of return centers promoted by some member states, cautioning that these facilities could jeopardize relations with third‑country partners.
“States interested in exploring innovative measures should do so without undermining the role of external actors, both the EU as a whole and countries that do not share this approach,” he added.
European Migration Pact
Aligned with Spain’s stance, the five Mediterranean countries adopted a joint declaration urging “front‑line member states” to ensure that the European migration pact guarantees a mandatory solidarity mechanism that delivers timely, effective, needs‑based support to nations under migration pressure.
Key points of the declaration:
Increased resources for prevention at origin – The Mediterranean states ask the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to allocate more funding to origin‑country prevention, including surveillance of international waters, to provide prompt and effective assistance to member states at their external borders.
Expanded Frontex mandate – They request that Frontex be empowered to carry out returns directly from third countries and call for greater flexibility in the agency’s external commitments, through stronger reintegration programmes and more attractive cooperation frameworks with third‑country partners.
Addressing root causes – The manifesto commits to tackling the deep‑seated causes of migration by promoting job opportunities in origin countries and developing legal migration pathways for the future.