European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen chiefly spoke about the issue of migration during her annual State of the Union (SOTEU) address at the European Parliament's joint session in Strasbourg on September 10.

"Our most important task is to protect our democracy. But to do this, we must also show that democracy offers solutions to people's legitimate concerns. And nowhere is that more evident than in the context of migration," von der Leyen said.

"This is why we have proposed to triple funding for migration and border management in the next budget. This way we can manage migration effectively and protect our external borders. But more is clearly needed."

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'Humane' system needed

"The people of Europe have shown they are willing to help those fleeing war and persecution. But there is a growing sense of frustration, stemming from their impression that our rules are being ignored. This is why we need to step up our efforts. We need a system that is humane, but we must not be naïve about it," the head of the commission added.

"We must be serious about returning rejected asylum seekers to their home countries," she stressed, adding that the EU "cannot have a situation where only 20 percent of those who are not allowed to stay actually leave Europe."

"We therefore need to agree quickly on the Common European System for Returns. We have no more time to lose. And we must also ensure that we fully implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum as soon as it enters into force. The pact is strict but fair. And it will only work if everyone plays their part. Member States from the north and the south, the east and the west, "she emphasized.

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EU to get tough on smugglers

"Of course, we shall always fulfill our international obligations. But we in Europe must be the ones to decide who comes to us and in what circumstances, not the people-smugglers and traffickers. They are making millions upon millions with their cynical, false, and fatal promises," von der Leyen further highlighted in her speech.

"That is why we must break their business model. It's true that the numbers are diminishing, but too many people are still trying to cross the border illegally and are dying on the way. We must work together with social media platforms to put an end to the online organization and online advertising of smuggling operations. We must work more closely with airlines, especially on problematic routes such as those to Belarus.

"And it is only by going after the money that we will be able to track down the criminal networks and cut off their sources of funding. And we need a new system of sanctions specifically targeted at people smugglers and traffickers. To freeze their assets. To restrict their ability to move around. To cut off their profits. People smuggling is a horrible, criminal business, and no smuggler should be allowed to get away with it in Europe," she concluded in her speech.

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