ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany's Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of the Interior Daniela Ludwig said on Saturday that irregular migration and asylum applications in Europe have declined, expressing optimism over the implementation of the European Union's new migration rules.
"We are very optimistic. First of all, we are very pleased that the European common asylum agreement, which has been in effect since June, is clearly beginning to show results. We heard during the consultation meetings that the numbers are falling significantly, irregular migration has declined, and the number of asylum applications has also decreased," Ludwig told Rudaw's Alla Shally on the sidelines of a migration meeting by European officials in Munich.
"We are very optimistic that we will establish the system successfully. But, of course, we have to keep working on this. Stopping at this stage would be the wrong approach," she added.
European migration ministers gathered in Munich on Saturday to discuss measures aimed at reducing irregular migration, strengthening the EU's external borders and improving the return of people who do not have the right to remain in Europe. The meeting, hosted by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, brought together ministers from European countries and representatives of the European Commission.
The talks come more than three months after the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum entered into application on June 12 following a two-year transition period. The package of 10 legislative acts introduces common procedures for screening and registering irregular arrivals, faster asylum and return procedures, and a solidarity mechanism to support member states facing increased migratory pressure.
EU figures show a broader downward trend in irregular arrivals and asylum applications that began before the pact took effect. Illegal border crossings at the bloc's external borders fell by 26 percent in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to the European Commission.
EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner said ahead of the Munich meeting that irregular migration to Europe had fallen by more than 55 percent over the past two years and by a further 35 percent this year.
Despite the decline, European governments are pushing for further measures to tighten border management and accelerate returns. The Council of the EU and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement in June on a common system intended to make the return of people staying illegally in member states faster and more effective.
Glenn Bedingfield, Malta's Minister for Home Affairs and Security, also attended the Munich summit.
Asked by Rudaw if Europe can control its borders, the minister said, "Yes, Europe ought to protect its external borders because when all the countries protect its borders, it means more secure countries. Where there are more secure countries, there is more peace of mind and more security, and security brings more economic prosperity."
