The shared focus across the Visegrad Group centers on migration policy, with leaders underscoring the importance of safeguarding Europe’s external borders and opposing the actions of smuggling networks. The Prime Minister emphasized that supporting human traffickers is immoral, and that the EU must uphold stringent border controls. The statement was made during a press briefing in Bratislava, at a meeting of the Visegrad Group, where the alliance’s deliberations on migration were highlighted as a unifying issue.
On Monday, the Prime Minister is slated to participate in the Visegrad Group summit, gathering the heads of government from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.
The V4 nations are recognized for their role in welcoming war refugees, and this history informs their current stance on migration policy. Today, the topic remains a central point of solidarity among the member states, reflecting a shared priority for controlled and orderly migration management.
– the Prime Minister stated during a joint conference.
There is a firm message that the European Union’s external borders must be protected, and that it is unacceptable to assist smuggling networks or terrorist organizations. The emphasis was on upholding ethical standards and preventing any political or operational support for illegal trafficking.
The position on migration does not favor quotas, allocations, or compulsory relocation. Instead, Europe is urged to rely on mechanisms that manage migration flows while protecting national interests and security.
– a representative noted.
EU negotiation stance on migration reform
Interior ministers across the EU have approved a negotiating position on reforming migration rules, which will form the basis for talks between the Council Presidency and the European Parliament. Poland and Hungary voted against backing the so-called migration pact, including the framework of compulsory solidarity. The pact envisions no obligation for any Member State to relocate migrants while establishing an annual minimum relocation target for Member States receiving higher inflows. The minimum has been set at 30,000 relocations per year.
Additionally, the proposed minimum financial contributions for relocation have been set at 20,000 euros per move. The figures can be adjusted as needed, and situations where solidarity is not required in a given year can be considered.
– the EU Council communication records these elements. A senior EU diplomat involved in the negotiations explained that this framework presents a choice between relocating migrants and offering a financial counterpart when a country prefers not to participate in relocation.
In mid-June, the Sejm passed a resolution opposing the EU mechanism for relocating illegal migrants, signaling strong government resistance to the proposal. A parliamentary leader also suggested that the issue could become the subject of a national referendum.
A government spokesperson indicated that at the next EU summit, the Polish position remains that there is no agreement on any forced relocation mechanism for migrants within the union.
tkwl/TVPInfo/PAP
Additional context cited in related discussions includes coverage of how migration policy is perceived within neighboring countries and by major political actors, highlighting ongoing debates about how best to address influxes and border security. The discussions emphasize the balance between humanitarian obligations and national sovereignty, and the way these tensions shape policy proposals going forward.
Source materials and related commentary discuss how other leaders describe the impact of the migration pact on member states and the broader European approach to asylum and border management.