EU needs new and innovative solutions to curb migration

Finland, together with Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, has published a letter to the European Commission calling for new and innovative solutions to counter and prevent irregular migration to Europe.

“Illegal entry into Europe must be effectively combated. Finland, together with the other signatory countries, considers it important that the EU urgently develops new and innovative solutions together with third countries for this purpose,” says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

Innovative solutions include return hubs in safe third countries outside the EU and asylum processes conducted entirely in those countries. In December 2025, EU home affairs ministers reached political agreement on the proposed regulations concerning these issues, and they will now be submitted to the European Parliament.

The signatories underline the need for sufficient funding for cooperation and for revising the competences of EU agencies, and emphasise a more effective integration of migration into the Union's partnerships with third countries.

To accelerate these innovative solutions, Finland and 14 other EU Member States submitted their first letter to the Commission in May 2024. 

Inquiries:
Minna Hulkkonen, Director General, tel. +358 295 488 600, [email protected]