Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia Urge EU for Migrant 'Hotspots' Outside Europe

The leaders propose stricter migration policies and increased EU funding to combat illegal immigration at the bloc's borders.

Leaders of Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia met in Komarno to discuss measures to curb illegal migration into the European Union.
The proposed solution includes setting up EU-funded facilities in North Africa and other locations to process asylum applications before migrants enter the EU.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico emphasized the importance of protecting the EU's external borders as a priority in the fight against illegal migration.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the EU's current migration pact and called for more effective deportation measures.
Frontex reported a significant decrease in illegal crossings, with a 79% drop along the Western Balkan route in the first nine months of 2024.