European leaders meeting in Dublin have affirmed their commitment to sustaining the reduction in illegal migration into and across Europe, endorsing a joint statement that emphasises border preparedness, countering disinformation, and strengthening returns and readmission cooperation.
The joint statement, issued at the European Political Community (EPC) summit on 12 November 2026, was endorsed by 41 leaders including UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen. Building on priorities outlined in Yerevan, the statement refers to ongoing global instability, hybrid threats including the instrumentalisation of migration, and the continued exploitation of vulnerable individuals by people-smuggling gangs. Leaders reflected on progress since the last EPC and the importance of continued focus.
Leaders agreed on the importance of using early warning systems to predict and manage migration flows and identify emerging security risks, as well as developing new tools to respond to extraordinary threats and guarantee border resilience and security. They agreed on tackling disinformation by exposing the dangers of illegal crossings and countering false narratives, and on collaborating as new approaches are developed. Upstream cooperation with countries of origin and transit was highlighted, including support for migrants and countries to keep people safer closer to home and prevent dangerous onward journeys, alongside fostering skills development and mutually beneficial partnerships.
On returns, the statement calls for strengthening cooperation with countries of origin and transit by making effective use of available tools and incentives, ensuring that those without a right to stay in Europe can be returned effectively and in accordance with international law. Leaders stressed the need for more seamless and systematic information sharing across borders to keep pace with border security challenges and strengthen operational cooperation against criminal networks.
The statement also says leaders stressed the importance of international conventions, noting the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and recalling the May 2026 Chișinău Declaration on the European Convention on Human Rights and migration. Leaders affirmed continued cooperation with the European Union and the Council of Europe and agreed to discuss migration again at the EPC summit in Switzerland.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The joint endorsement by 41 European and neighbouring states signals a broad political consensus to maintain and deepen anti-illegal migration measures, affecting border policies, return agreements, and cooperation with origin and transit countries.
- The emphasis on a whole-of-route approach and innovation suggests future investments in surveillance, data-sharing systems, and deterrent campaigns, which could reshape Europe's migration landscape.
- With the next EPC summit in Switzerland, the commitment to sustained reduction keeps migration high on the European political agenda, influencing both domestic policies and EU-level negotiations.
Background
The European Political Community (EPC) was established in 2022 as a forum for political dialogue among European countries, including EU members and non-EU neighbours. It meets regularly to address shared challenges, with migration a recurring topic. The Dublin summit followed previous meetings where leaders acknowledged the pressures of irregular migration, hybrid threats, and the role of smuggling networks. The joint statement builds on earlier commitments made in Yerevan and Chișinău, reflecting ongoing efforts to align national policies with multilateral frameworks under the Refugee Convention and European human rights instruments.
What to Watch
- The next EPC summit in Switzerland, where leaders will review progress on the commitments made in Dublin.
- Implementation of the agreed new tools for border response, which could involve legislative changes or bilateral agreements.
- Cooperation with origin and transit countries, particularly on returns and readmission, as a test of the whole-of-route approach.
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
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- SupportedEuropean leaders pledged to sustain the reduction in illegal migration into and across Europe.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Frederiksen, Prime Minister Burnham, Prime Minister Rama, Prime Minister Zamora, Prime Minister Pashinyan, Chancellor Stocker, Prime Minister De Wever, Prime Minister Radev, President Bećirović, Prime Minister Plenković, President Christodoulides, Prime Minister Babiš, Prime Minister Michal, Prime Minister Orpo, Prime Minister Kobakhidze, Chancellor Merz, Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Prime Minister Magyar, Prime Minister Frostadóttir, Taoiseach Martin, Prime Minister Kurti, Prime Minister Kulbergs, Prime Minister Haas, President Nausėda, Prime Minister Abela”
- SupportedThe joint statement was endorsed by 41 leaders.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “The UK, Denmark and Italy issue a Joint Statement on Illegal Migration, endorsed by 41 leaders at the European Political Community Summit in Dublin on 12 November 2026.”
- Partly supportedThe statement was issued at the summit on 12 November 2026.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “The UK, Denmark and Italy issue a Joint Statement on Illegal Migration, endorsed by 41 leaders at the European Political Community Summit in Dublin on 12 November 2026.”
- Partly supportedThe leaders included UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Italian Prime Minister Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “The UK, Denmark and Italy issue a Joint Statement on Illegal Migration, endorsed by 41 leaders at the European Political Community Summit in Dublin on 12 November 2026. ... Prime Minister Meloni, Prime Minister Frederiksen, Prime Minister Burnham”
- SupportedLeaders referred to global instability, hybrid threats including the instrumentalisation of migration, and exploitation of vulnerable people by people-smuggling gangs.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “In the face of ongoing global instability, hybrid threats, including the instrumentalisation of migration, and the continued exploitation of vulnerable individuals by people smuggling gangs, leaders reflected on the progress made since the last EPC”
- SupportedLeaders agreed on using early-warning systems to predict and manage flows and identify emerging security risks.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “This includes the use of tools like early warning systems to predict and manage flows and identify emerging security risks.”
- SupportedThe statement calls for strengthening cooperation on returns so people without a right to stay can be returned in accordance with international law.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Strengthening cooperation with countries of origin and transit, including by making effective use of available tools and incentives, to ensure that those without a right to stay in Europe can be returned effectively and in accordance with international law.”
- SupportedLeaders stressed the need for more systematic cross-border information sharing to strengthen cooperation against criminal networks.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Information should be shared more seamlessly and systematically to keep pace with border security challenges and strengthen operational cooperation against criminal networks.”
- SupportedThe statement refers to the Refugee Convention’s 75th anniversary and the May 2026 Chișinău Declaration on the ECHR and migration.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Seventy five years after the adoption of the Refugee Convention and recalling the May 2026 Chișinău Declaration on the ECHR and migration”
- SupportedLeaders agreed to discuss migration again at the EPC summit in Switzerland.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Looking ahead, they agreed to keep momentum toward a sustained reduction in numbers, and to discuss this issue again at the EPC Summit in Switzerland.”