In about and since the Valletta EU-Africa Summit of 2015, EU policy has shifted to controlling its own borders as well as ensuring cooperation with transit and sending countries in the control of immigration. Agreements have been concluded with sub-Saharan countries and those of the Sahel, as well as with countries in the Horn of Africa, notably Ethiopia. Explain what has been achieved at and since the Valletta Summit but also assess the controversies that have arisen about this new EU policy, particularly on the EU’s linkage of development aid with compliance in restricting emigrant outflows from third countries and in accepting returned migrants. Refer also to the EU-Turkey 2016 Understanding and the current agreements with Libya on managing migration. Refer also to the Human Rights dilemmas that this policy has ignited.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Valletta Summit
3. EU Migration Policy
3.1 Border management and security
4. Cooperation with transit and countries of origin
5. Link between EU Aid and Migration Policy
6. Human Rights Dilemma: Deal with Turkey and Libya
7. Conclusion
8. Bibliography
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper aims to provide a deep analysis of the challenges the European Union (EU) faces regarding migration. It examines the shift in EU policy towards controlling external borders and enhancing cooperation with transit and sending countries. The research critically assesses the effectiveness of policy instruments like the Valletta Summit, the linkage of development aid to migration control, and the human rights implications of deals with third countries such as Turkey and Libya.
- The evolution of EU migration policy and border management strategies.
- The effectiveness and criticism of the 2015 Valletta Summit and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
- The strategic, yet controversial, linkage between EU development aid and migration compliance.
- The human rights challenges emerging from cooperation with Libya and the EU-Turkey migration deal.
- The role of transit countries and the geopolitical complexity of managing migration routes.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Border management and security
A specific aim of the EU in which is put a lot of effort is border management and security. The need for the EU to control its borders has grown since the number of irregular migrant crossing the border increased. The highest number of migrants crossing the sea was in 2015, the number reached 1 million people, while the following years it decreased, 362,753 in 2016 and 172,301 in 2017. (UNHCR, 2018)
The control of the EU border is intrinsically linked to security. Frontex is the main European Agency to implement this objective, which faced an important change in 2016, when it became the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The main duties are to monitor the boarders and to cooperate with MS to identify as soon as possible threats to the security of Europe. (European Council, 2017) For the same aim, at the end of 2017 the Council adopted a new system to control the entry, exit and refusal of entry of third nationals at the Schengen external borders. (European Council, 2017) The EU is pushing for more initiatives in this direction.
It is very interesting that during the mass influx of migrants reaching Europe some countries introduced temporary border controls, which is foreseen by the articles 25,26, 28 and 29 of the Schengen Borders code in some special cases. Countries like Austria, France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway made use of it. (European Commission, 2018)
Apart from boarder control, the EU is putting more relevance to an efficient return policy, as mentioned before. The EU created the European Travel Document for the Return of Illegal Migrants, which will reduce the main problem of the return of irregular migrants, their documents. (European Parliament, 2017)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the migration challenges in the Mediterranean and defines the paper's aim to analyze EU policies, focusing on border management, third-country cooperation, and human rights.
2. Valletta Summit: This section discusses the 2015 Valletta Summit, its objectives regarding migration management, and the criticisms surrounding the political declarations and the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
3. EU Migration Policy: This chapter details the broad EU migration objectives, including the reduction of irregular migration and the strengthening of the common asylum system.
3.1 Border management and security: This section focuses on the operational efforts to control external borders, the role of Frontex, and the reintroduction of temporary border controls by several Member States.
4. Cooperation with transit and countries of origin: This chapter explores the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) and examines the EU's bilateral agreements with countries such as Ethiopia, Niger, and Libya.
5. Link between EU Aid and Migration Policy: This chapter analyzes the controversial conditionality of development aid, where funds are tied to the recipient countries' cooperation in restricting migration flows.
6. Human Rights Dilemma: Deal with Turkey and Libya: This chapter examines the humanitarian consequences of the EU-Turkey deal and the support provided to Libya, highlighting concerns regarding non-refoulement and human rights abuses.
7. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the findings, reiterating that while migration is a shared competence, the EU's current approach struggles with balancing security objectives and human rights responsibilities.
8. Bibliography: This section provides the full list of academic, institutional, and news sources referenced throughout the paper.
Keywords
Migration, European Union, Valletta Summit, Border Management, Frontex, Development Aid, Human Rights, Non-refoulement, Libya, Turkey, Transit Countries, Asylum, Mobility Partnerships, Irregular Migration, Migration Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the challenges of migration for the European Union and evaluates the policies implemented to manage migratory flows, particularly since the 2015 Valletta Summit.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The work covers border security, cooperation with third countries, the strategic use of development aid, and the human rights dilemmas arising from migration control measures.
What is the main research objective?
The goal is to analyze the effectiveness of EU policies in managing migration while critically assessing the controversies, such as the instrumentalization of aid and human rights concerns in partner countries.
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of EU institutional documents, international reports (UNHCR), and academic commentary to evaluate the policy framework and its real-world implementation.
What is addressed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the Valletta Summit outcomes, the evolution of border management, cooperation strategies with African nations, the linkage of aid to migration control, and specific case studies involving Turkey and Libya.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include EU migration policy, border management, humanitarian rights, development aid conditionality, and Mediterranean migration routes.
How does the author view the EU-Turkey deal?
The author highlights that while the deal effectively reduced migrant numbers, it was heavily criticized for prioritizing political goals over human rights and for treating Turkey as a safe third country.
What is the concern regarding the "Emergency Trust Fund for Africa"?
Critics argue that the fund reflects European self-interests, lacks sufficient focus on civil society, and potentially threatens human rights by pushing for forced returns of migrants.
Why is the situation in Libya considered a human rights crisis?
The author notes that migrants in Libya face severe abuses, including arbitrary detention, sexual violence, forced labor, and risks of interception at sea, despite EU financial support for stabilization projects.
What does the author suggest for future EU migration policy?
The author concludes that future policy will likely rely on deeper cooperation with countries of origin and transit but emphasizes the need for a higher consideration of human rights standards.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Amelia Martha Matera (Autor:in), 2018, Migration and EU Policies, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/442602
