Greece is the one exception, where the number of migrants has risen to 73,000 - 23,000 more than before. The situation in Aegean islands is tense, with 42,000 migrants living in refugee camps despite there only being space for 7,500.
The director of the Frontex Agency told the Welt newspaper than the number of illegal border crossings dropped massively in 2019. Only 120,000 illegal crossings were counted, 10% less than 2018.
The European Commission has called on all member states to at least accept underage refugees, especially those without adult companions. Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean Asselborn, urged all European countries to make an effort to respect this demand. He believes that individual member states cannot lead to change on an individual basis. Speaking to the Spiegel, the Minister of Immigration said that there must be an EU-wide solution.
Further to that, Asselborn believes that member states blocking such a solution should be subject to financial sanctions. The current timing is key, as Brussels is negotiating its budget for 2021 through to 2027. Luxembourg is one of the key advocates for determining member state budgets based on adherence to basic values.
Some 120,000 individuals are still fleeing Syria, heading to Turkey. Asselborn has stressed that the EU must also continue to offer more assistance to refugee camps in Turkey. Fundamentally, countries must prioritise being humane over their fears.
