State Secretary Zobarič calls for consistent registration of migrants in Eurodac at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg
SLOVENIA, October 1 - As part of the discussion on the overall state of the Schengen area, the home affairs ministers addressed current security challenges. During the discussion on the events in Ceuta, they emphasised the importance of solidarity among Member States, shared responsibility for managing the external borders, and a coordinated European emergency response. They welcomed the European Commission’s recent plan to strengthen resilience and security of the EU external borders, as well as its intention to establish a common European framework for responding to emergency situations at the external borders.
Ministers agreed that, in order to strengthen internal security, it is necessary to enhance information exchange and use the existing tools to their full potential. In this context, they emphasised that the development of new technological solutions should respond to the operational needs of the competent authorities and be tailored to their needs in the field.
In the discussion on the Schengen Barometer, they emphasised that it should provide as comprehensive an overview as possible of the situation in the Schengen area and include a broader range of relevant data, including information on the implementation of internal border controls, visa policy and secondary movements. Ministers also emphasised the need for a political discussion on restricting the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian nationals and on the continued implementation of EU restrictive measures against Russia.
During the debate, State Secretary Zobarič drew attention to the increased migration pressure in Slovenia and the increased burden posed by secondary movements. From the entry into application of the Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026 until mid-September 2026, Slovenia dealt with more than 8,600 irregular crossings of the state border, which resulted in nearly 8,000 applications for international protection being registered. "Of those processed following an irregular crossing of the state border, 34 per cent were entered into the Eurodac system (the European fingerprint database) for the first time in Slovenia. This means that we, an EU Member State without an external land border, carry out more than 30 per cent of these screenings, even though such screenings should be an exception," Zobarič emphasised. Slovenia is committed to a strong and unified Schengen system that contributes effectively to the internal security of the European Union. However, its long-term stability depends on the effective management of the EU's external borders, the proper registration of migrants in the Eurodac system and the reduction of secondary movements. State Secretary Zobarič also highlighted the need for the Western Balkan countries to align their visa policies with those of the EU, and stressed the importance of ensuring the proper treatment of migrants and effective return procedures.
During the discussion on improving cooperation with third countries in relation to improved returns, ministers agreed that further political guidance is essential. A more targeted, effective and coherent use of all available instruments is required. At forthcoming Council meetings, ministers will discuss priority third countries whose cooperation on readmission is insufficient, based on the assessment in the European Commission's report on the implementation of Article 25a of the Visa Code, and will also examine elements from the toolbox for improving their cooperation on readmission. Lasting and comprehensive partnerships must be built with origin and transit countries.
Effective returns are an essential pillar of migration policy and a key element of credible asylum procedures. The Regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the EU, which was adopted today, is a major achievement and complements the Pact on Migration and Asylum. A new proposal to strengthen the role of Frontex and a proposal on the digitalisation of return, readmission and reintegration procedures – both of which the European Commission is expected to publish at the end of October – will also contribute to strengthening returns.
It is precisely swift returns that are a key prerequisite for the smooth functioning of border procedures introduced by the Pact on Migration and Asylum. State Secretary Zobarič called for strengthened cooperation between EU Member States and the exchange of information on individual Member States' bilateral activities with third countries. "If we do not ensure (swift) returns at EU level within the envisaged timeframes, this will certainly lead to friction amongst us and an erosion of trust in the system," Zobarič said.
Recent events in Ceuta this summer are not the first instance in which social media have significantly influenced migration flows, although this case stands out for the speed and scale of the digital mobilisation. "The internet is increasingly becoming a space for disinformation and the activities of organised criminal groups. This is another reason why it is essential to strengthen the capacity of EU agencies to monitor social media, including by establishing the appropriate legal frameworks where necessary," Zobarič said. EU agencies can, in fact, provide the most comprehensive picture of migration trends thanks to their access to relevant data from all Member States. Zobarič also reiterated the responsibility of Member States to ensure the consistent registration of migrants in the Eurodac system and the effective use of information systems. "Without high-quality and harmonised data, even new tools or the most advanced analytical methods cannot provide reliable assessments and forecasts," concluded State Secretary Zobarič.
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