Minister Franci Matoz and European Commissioner Magnus Brunner discuss migration and Schengen

Minister Matoz stressed that Slovenia supports a common European approach to migration management. However, when determining the burden on Member States, due account must also be taken of the specific circumstances of individual countries, including secondary migration flows.

From the Pact's entry into application to 16 September 2026, the Slovenian police have dealt with 8,600 irregular border crossings. More than 90 per cent of these persons had entered Slovenia from the Republic of Croatia. Of particular concern to Slovenia is that 34 per cent of all those processed for crossing the border illegally were entered into Eurodac for the first time in Slovenia, even though Slovenia is a Member State without external land borders. "A central objective of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is the shared responsibility of all Member States. It is therefore important that the methodology for determining migratory pressure also takes due account of secondary movements and the actual burden borne by individual Member States. We are committed to fair and balanced solutions," the Minister emphasised. Slovenia therefore proposes that the European Commission revise the methodology used in future solidarity cycles to ensure that the burden on Member States is taken into account in a fairer and more balanced manner. The Minister also highlighted the importance of effective protection of the EU's external borders and of a stronger Frontex presence in the Western Balkans, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Minister and Commissioner also discussed the functioning of the Schengen area. Minister Matoz reaffirmed Slovenia's commitment to the free movement of people and to the Schengen area without internal border controls. Slovenia considers that maintaining free movement must be a shared responsibility of all Member States and that the issue of prolonged internal border controls must also be addressed appropriately at European level.

Minister Matoz and Commissioner Brunner agreed on the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in addressing common European challenges in the fields of migration and home affairs.