The European Commission has unveiled a new EU Action Plan to strengthen migration management along the Channel route, aiming to address irregular migration through a
coordinated, whole-of-route approach.
The plan focuses on three main priorities:
• Reinforcing migration diplomacy with countries of origin and transit
• Disrupting migrant smuggling networks and criminal infrastructure
• Strengthening border management and operational cooperation
The strategy includes closer collaboration between EU agencies, Member States, and the UK, with measures ranging from improved intelligence sharing and border surveillance to enhanced returns and anti-smuggling operations.
According to the Commission, irregular border crossings at the EU’s external borders have declined by 55% since 2024, while attempted Channel crossings are down 44% in 2026 so far.
The action plan reflects the EU’s broader effort to build a more coordinated and effective migration management framework while addressing security, humanitarian, and operational challenges across the route.
source: https://ec.europa.eu/com.../presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_1367