[European Officials Discuss Strengthening Border Controls and Expediting Migrant Repatriation Procedures] On Saturday, European interior ministers met to discuss strengthening border controls, shortening emergency response times, and establishing expedited repatriation procedures for certain migrants. Seventeen ministers from EU member states and the UK attended the meeting. This follows the EU's implementation of an agreement on migration and asylum in June, and the country is currently working to strengthen immigration controls. German Interior Minister Dobrinth stated, "We need to establish a new European mechanism for responding to the migration crisis." He specifically mentioned emergencies such as the "illegal border crossing surge." Dobrinth cited the large influx of migrants into Ceuta, a Spanish territory bordering Morocco, an event that sparked division in Europe. He called for new rules to define border emergencies, establish corresponding response mechanisms, and create a expedited repatriation system for certain migrants.
