European security and political stability are being tested by ongoing migration pressures, cautions Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. He argues that the pressures from migration will persist in the years ahead and that unchecked immigration could destabilize governments across the continent. The warning came in a recent interview, where he stressed that Europe must confront the challenges tied to people moving across borders and seeking asylum.
Schallenberg stressed that Austria bears a very heavy burden on a per‑capita basis within continental Europe. He suggested that Germany should have launched discussions for years about how to reduce illegal border crossings and tighten border controls to manage the inflow more effectively. The minister indicated that durable solutions require cooperation among EU members and a shared sense of responsibility for those who arrive seeking safety or opportunity.
One of the central issues highlighted was the difficulty of returning people who do not have a right to stay. Schallenberg pointed out that if those who are not authorized to remain in the EU cannot be deported, the whole asylum and immigration system risks losing credibility and functioning as intended. He argued that deportations, where lawful, are essential to maintaining a fair and orderly system.
In recent days, European Union leaders gathered for an informal summit in Granada. There, discussions focused on how to address the migration crisis, but the talks did not produce a final agreement. The squarely faced questions included border security, asylum processing, and the responsibilities of individual states versus collective EU action. The outcome left many observers noting that more work is needed to align policies and resources across member states. [Source: European Council Briefing]
There were cautions beyond the EU as well. Poland, for instance, warned that the combination of the Middle East conflict and ongoing migration pressures could trigger a broader European crisis. The warning underscored the interlinked nature of regional security, humanitarian obligations, and political stability across Europe. [Source: Polish Government Statement]