Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, has published its figures for irregular entries into Europe for the year 2023. According to the agency, the number of entries reaches the highest level since 2016 .
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Based in Warsaw, the Frontex agency recorded 380,000 irregular entries at the borders of the European Union in 2023, an increase of 17% compared to the previous year. This figure confirms “ a steady upward trend over the past three years », Estimates the European agency in a press release published this Tuesday.
According to Frontex, migrants mainly use three migratory routes: 41% of them try to reach the European Union by taking a maritime route in the so-called central Mediterranean, 26% go through the Western Balkans and 16% via a route in the eastern Mediterranean. . Another route seems to be emerging, that of West Africa with 40,403 people entering irregularly, notably via the Canaries. In one year, this route has more than doubled its number of arrivals and represents around 11% of entries into the European Union.
More than 100,000 Syrians among registered migrants
Syrian nationals, more than 100,000 according to Frontex, are the most numerous trying to reach Europe, followed by Guineans and Afghans. “ These top three nationalities accounted for more than a third of all detections ”, according to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The agency also points out that approximately 10% of irregular entries were made by women and almost as many by minors.
It should be noted that Frontex only records crossings brought to its attention. The actual figure of irregular entries could therefore be much higher. This European agency is the subject of numerous criticisms within the 27 member countries, some accusing it of having become the agent of the militarization of European borders, while others accuse it of laxity.
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