Written question – Commission and Frontex position on deterrence and physical countermeasures against the weaponisation of migration – E-002237/2025

Question for written answer  E-002237/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Christine Anderson (ESN)

In a hearing of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield of 2 June 2025, a Frontex representative acknowledged that certain state actors, such as Russia and Belarus, have engaged in the use of migration as a tool for hybrid aggression. However, they avoided clarifying Frontex’s operational position when the Member States respond to such tactics with deterrence measures at the border. Furthermore, they declined to address the broader context of similar tactics being employed by state actors beyond Russia and Belarus, such as Türkiye or certain North African countries.

In the light of this:

• 1.What is the Commission’s position on the legality, under EU law, of rejecting ‘weaponised’ migrants at the border as a targeted deterrence measure in response to these hybrid threats?
• 2.Does the Commission recognise similar patterns of the deliberate use of migration by state actors beyond Russia and Belarus, including but not limited to Türkiye, Middle Eastern, and certain North African countries and if not, why not?
• 3.Is Frontex instructed or permitted to be involved in supporting the Member States in the construction or reinforcement of physical border barriers as a means of border management, where such ‘concrete countermeasures’ serve to combat weaponised migration?

Submitted: 4.6.2025