Mari Rantanen, Finnish Minister of Interior Affairs and prominent advocate for stricter immigration controls, stated to Euronews that Europe’s migration challenges will not be resolved through solidarity alone.
Finland’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen, responsible also for migration matters, criticized the decision by Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez to legalize thousands of undocumented migrants, warning it might threaten the stability of the Schengen zone.
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“I would never advocate such measures,” the minister shared during an interview for Euronews’ program 12 Minutes With.
“Moreover, since we operate within a shared zone, the Schengen area, and the so-called ‘team Europe’ people often mention, there is a significant risk when some nations adopt policies that directly oppose others,” she explained.
“For instance, migrants can now easily travel to neighboring countries, which is why all members must share responsibility for managing our shared territory, especially concerning migration issues.”
At the end of January, Spain’s left-leaning government approved a decree to regularize approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, provided they have resided in the country for at least five months before December 31, 2025. This measure targets acute labor shortages in vital sectors.
This approach sharply contrasts with the stricter immigration policies enacted by many European governments. The European Commission also expressed reservations, suggesting the measure may conflict with EU policies.
Under Rantanen’s leadership, Finland has tightened its asylum procedures to align with other Nordic countries, accelerating asylum claim processing and returns. She defined this change as a fundamental transformation.
Interest in Return Hubs
Rantanen mentioned to Euronews that Finland is keen to utilize new return mechanisms proposed in the EU Migration Pact, scheduled to become fully effective in June 2026.
This includes regulations allowing EU member states to establish return hubs in third countries for detaining and returning rejected asylum seekers outside the EU boundaries.
When questioned about ongoing talks with countries beyond Europe regarding return hubs, Rantanen stated Finland shows strong interest and has held discussions with Nordic neighbors.
However, she refrained from specifying potential locations, emphasizing, “The regulation must be in place first.” The European Parliament is still negotiating the final terms with the Council.
Many NGOs have warned that such facilities risk subjecting individuals to detention conditions akin to prisons and might lead to increased human rights violations.
Rantanen dismissed accusations that return hubs are inhumane, stating, “There is always the choice to return to one’s country of origin.” This stance has likewise been opposed by civil organizations, highlighting the risk of “refoulement,” or sending people back to hazardous environments.
Solidarity Mechanism
The EU Migration Pact also includes a “mandatory solidarity” clause designed to support member states facing high migratory pressure. Countries may respond by relocating asylum seekers or offering financial and practical assistance.
Nonetheless, only a few states opt to accept migrants under this scheme, raising doubts about the pact’s effectiveness. The Finnish minister dismissed such concerns: “There are multiple ways to express solidarity, and Finland has chosen financial support.” For 2026, the country’s contribution will reach approximately €6 million.
She maintained that European migration issues are unlikely to be resolved solely through solidarity. “Efforts should focus on substantially reducing the number of people arriving in Europe,” she argued.
Regarding actions the EU has yet to undertake, Rantanen emphasized fighting human smuggling networks. “This requires a presence beyond the sea,” she noted.
“For instance, identifying safe ports where rescued individuals can be returned to third countries rather than Europe itself.”
Thousands perish annually at sea attempting to reach Europe. Recent data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) report 2,185 deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean in 2025, while 1,214 were recorded along the Western Africa/Atlantic route toward the Canary Islands.
Asked if Frontex, the EU border agency, might extend its mandate to operate outside the bloc, she answered, “Frontex’s mandate is currently under revision, so new possibilities may arise.”
Several EU states have already expressed readiness to grant Frontex a greater role in returns and potentially allow its increased presence in non-EU countries.