Despite these concerns, Frontex reported a 42% decrease in irregular border crossings into the EU during the first nine months of 2024, with a notable 79% drop along the Western Balkan route.

In 2023, the EU aimed to return 430,000 illegal migrants, but only 84,000 have been successfully returned thus far.

Fico emphasized the need for a more effective return policy, noting that 80% of illegal migrants who enter Europe remain, highlighting the challenges of managing migration.

Fico suggested that a significant portion of the EU budget after 2027 should focus on external border protection to effectively combat illegal migration.

The Slovak government has stressed the importance of cooperation with Serbia and other Western Balkan nations to manage illegal migration flows.

Proposed measures from the leaders include enhancing border protection, supporting asylum procedures in partner countries, and aligning visa policies with EU standards.

Leaders from Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia have proposed establishing facilities outside the EU to host asylum seekers as a strategy to combat illegal immigration.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico view illegal immigration as a significant threat to the EU and are advocating for these external facilities.

The three leaders have a history of opposing immigration, with Orbán making it a central aspect of his governance for nearly a decade.

Orbán criticized the EU's migration pact, claiming it exacerbates the problem and called for stronger border protections.

During a recent press conference, leaders discussed Italy's model of processing asylum requests in non-EU countries, with Orbán advocating for similar local hotspots in North Africa.

The leaders acknowledged that illegal migration is fueled by geopolitical instability and social inequalities in neighboring regions.