Gitanas NausÄ—da and EU leaders call for an end to the instrumentalization of migration

President Gitanas Nausėda, together with the leaders of Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Slovakia, Belgium, Malta, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovenia addressed the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, as well as all EU heads of state and government, calling for united efforts to prevent human smuggling and the instrumentalization of migration.

"It is particularly important that we continue to tackle situations in which human smugglers profit and migration is instrumentalized," the joint statement reads.

The group of EU leaders highlights the progress made in recent years in addressing Europe's migration challenges. They note that new and innovative solutions can help reduce irregular migration flows to Europe and increase returns to the countries of origin.

"Together, we have changed the European discourse on migration and reached a broad consensus on the need for the European migration policy that is both firm and fair, and that ensures the cohesion of our societies while protecting the most vulnerable," the statement says.

The leaders emphasize that the next step is to deliver concrete results, primarily through the implementation of new measures in third countries.

"We believe this is the most effective way to disrupt smugglers' business models, remove the incentives for irregular migration to Europe, and ensure the return of those who do not have the right to remain in Europe," the statement says.

As a positive example, the leaders point to cooperation between Italy and Albania, as well as efforts by other EU member states to establish migrant reception centers in third countries.

The signatories of the statement call on all EU member states to develop cooperation with potential partners in migration management. They also urge the European Commission to continue supporting these efforts, particularly through financial assistance, and encourage the United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration to play an active role in managing migration flows to Europe.