EU migration chief warns of reliance on neighbours for border security

Brunner emphasized that while diplomatic cooperation is a necessary component of regional stability, it cannot serve as the primary defensive mechanism for the bloc. The vulnerability stems from a system that effectively outsources security responsibilities to transit nations, leaving the EU with little agency when those political relationships sour or when local authorities shift their enforcement priorities.

His comments follow recurring episodes of mass migration attempts at Spanish enclaves like Ceuta, which have frequently turned into flashpoints for diplomatic friction. By highlighting these structural weaknesses, the commissioner signaled a push for more robust, autonomous control mechanisms that do not rely exclusively on the cooperation of partners outside the union’s direct jurisdiction.