European interior ministers gather in Munich to tighten EU migration policy

Several European Union interior ministers are meeting in Munich this afternoon to discuss tightening the bloc's migration policy.

A spokesperson for German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the Münchner Merkur newspaper that the talks will focus on the "implementation of a shift in migration policy."

The 17 ministers will discuss "further refining the European Migration Pact, consistently hardening the European Union's external borders, and accelerating returns from Europe," the spokesperson added.

Germany and Denmark, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece are due to hold separate talks about the creation of deportation centers or return hubs in third countries.

Germany hopes to secure a deal with a country in Africa or possibly Asia by the end of the year.

Dobrindt's spokesperson said the EU's border agency, Frontex, could be turned into a "border protection and genuine return agency."

Currently, EU member states are responsible for returning asylum seekers whose applications have failed.

EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner will also attend the Munich talks.

Germany's Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) will decide at lunchtime which city will bid to host a future Olympic Games.

After the capital, Berlin, withdrew earlier this week, the vote will be a two-horse race between Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr to be the candidate city for either the 2036, 2040 or 2044 Games.

Germany is keeping its options open regarding which Games to bid for, as the 2036 Olympics is widely expected to go to an Asian country.

The year 2036 is also politically sensitive as it would mark 100 years since Berlin hosted the 1936 Olympics during the Nazi era.

Some policymakers want Germany to bid for 2040, as it will mark 50 years since German reunification.

If it wins, Munich plans to host most Olympic events within city limits and already has stadia and other sports infrastructure in place, including the Olympic Park, which was built for the 1972 Games.

Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr plans to spread the Games across several cities, including Schalke for swimming events, Düsseldorf for basketball and football at Borussia Dortmund's 81,000-seat stadium.

Good morning from DW. In Munich, you'll often hear Grüss Gott (greet God), while in Cologne and Germany's Rhine-Ruhr region, people often say Tachchen (Hey there).

It's decision day for both cities as Germany's Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) picks which one will bid to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040, or 2044.

Munich will also be hosting European interior ministers for talks on implementing a tougher EU migration policy.

Fifteen other cities, including Berlin, Hamburg and Nuremberg, will stage protests against the government's planned cuts to the social welfare bill.

We'll bring you updates on these and other top news stories from across Germany throughout the day.