Nicosia:The European Commission has introduced a 5-point plan aimed at preventing, anticipating, and responding to sudden, mass illegal arrivals, enhancing the resilience and security of the EU's external borders.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the proposal comes in the wake of recent events that have tested the EU's borders, such as the crisis in Ceuta this past summer, highlighting the need for evolving tools to handle emergency situations.

The plan includes increasing cooperation with partner countries to prevent illegal migration and bolster crisis management, strengthening the EU's external borders with additional support and frameworks, improving monitoring and early warning systems, dismantling smuggling networks, and reinforcing systems for the return of migrants without legal rights to stay in the EU.

President von der Leyen emphasized the importance of a united European response to border security challenges in her State of the Union address, pointing out that these situations threaten the EU's common security and unity.

The Commission's plan will be discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 1-2 October 2026, aiming for coordinated action involving EU member states, JHA agencies, and the Commission.