EU interior ministers gathered in Munich today to review and discuss new migration policies. This meeting is led by Horst Seehofer, the German interior minister, and is expected to lead to fundamental reforms in the Union's migration policy.
Topics of Discussion
According to a spokesperson for the German interior minister, the negotiations will focus on "implementing changes in migration policy." The 17 ministers present at this meeting will discuss "further strengthening the European migration pact, tightening the EU's external borders, and expediting the return of migrants from Europe."
Germany and Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece will also separately discuss the establishment of deportation centers or return hubs in third countries. Germany hopes to reach an agreement with one of the African or possibly Asian countries by the end of this year.
Changes in the Role of the Border Agency
The spokesperson for Seehofer also announced that the EU border agency, Frontex, could become a "real border protection and return agency." Currently, EU member states are responsible for returning asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected.
Magnus Brunner, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, will also be present at the negotiations in Munich and will discuss the challenges facing migration policy.
Competition for Olympic Hosting
Alongside these negotiations, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is also deciding which city should be nominated to host the upcoming Olympic Games. After Berlin withdrew from the competition, Munich and the Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr region are now competing to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.
Germany is looking to keep its options open for hosting the Olympics, as the 2036 Games are expected to be awarded to an Asian country. The year 2036 also carries significant political sensitivity due to the centenary of the Berlin Olympics during the Nazi era.
Some politicians are advocating for Germany to bid for the 2040 Games, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of German reunification. If Munich wins, it intends to hold most Olympic events within the city limits and has the necessary sports infrastructure, including the Olympic Park built for the 1972 Games.
The Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr region has also planned to host the Games across several different cities and utilize various stadiums for different sports.
With today's decisions regarding Olympic hosting and discussions on migration policies, the coming days will be crucial for Germany.
