In his opening remarks, Commissioner-designate Magnus Brunner stated that security threats have become more complex and international. To keep Europe safe and true to its values, his three guiding principles would be to increase preparedness and foresight, find comprehensive and balanced solutions, and pursue intense international cooperation.

Responding to MEPs main concerns regarding internal security and the control of external borders, Mr Brunner committed to presenting a comprehensive internal security strategy in the first half of 2025, and to extending the mandate of Europol and build on the Ports Alliance to combat cross-border organised crime.

Managing migration

Mr Brunner argued that migration should be managed with fair but firm rules, in closer cooperation with transit countries and countries of origin in a “whole of route approach”. Human rights are non-negotiable, he insisted. An essential part of his new mandate, he said, will be the swift and full…