German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the Schengen area’s free movement must be protected but cannot be abused by migrant smugglers. After meeting Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden in Berlin, Merz stressed the need for stronger EU border protection and temporary checks due to rising illegal immigration. He denied reports that asylum seekers are being returned to Poland and called for European cooperation. Luxembourg’s Frieden supported tighter border control and called for swift implementation of the EU Migration Strategy. Both leaders agreed to closer cooperation between interior ministries.