In the first three months of 2023, 300 percent more migrants than in the same quarter of the previous year came to Europe via the Mediterranean. This is proven by secret documents from the EU Commission, which are based on reports by the EU border protection agency Frontex and ”
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“ are present.
Accordingly, Frontex warns that 330,000 migrants could flee to Europe by summer – as many as in 2023 in total. 54,000 people have already been registered via all escape routes. Italy has already declared a state of emergency because of overcrowded reception centers, especially on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa.
Tunisia is catalyzing escape movements across the Mediterranean with tourist visas and gangs of people smugglers
Meanwhile, Tunisia is also contributing to the rising number of refugees. Gangs of smugglers there meanwhile smuggle 57 percent of all refugees in simple boats to Europe by sea; According to the UN, 441 people have already lost their lives on this dangerous crossing this year.
Some migrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, would even travel to Tunisia by plane, according to the Frontex report. This mainly concerns Ivorians. They would make use of a tourist entry permit in “considerable numbers”, which is valid for three months and suspends the visa requirement for this period.
EPP boss pushes for migration package and new repatriation agreement
In view of such flight catalysts and the large number of refugee movements, the EU is once again forced to act. The conservative European People’s Party (EPP) has requested a topical debate for Monday to discuss the problem.
According to Manfred Weber, head of the EPP, the association of states must now act quickly: “The EU is sleepwalking into a new migration crisis, although the rapidly increasing migration pressure is obvious,” he said in an interview with “Bild”. EU states must act together and support Italy, which keeps its borders open to migrants.
In order to get the situation under control, Weber is pushing for a migration pact between the EU and Tunisia. Similar to the EU-Turkey deal, this deal could put an end to illegal smuggling. In addition, the CSU politician calls for new repatriation agreements. Hundreds of thousands of migrants who are required to leave the EU are currently still in the EU because their home countries are refusing to return, says Weber. “It can’t stay like this.”
