Migration as Foreign Policy?

Abstract:

The EU plays a central role in regulating the evolving migration and asylum framework working through a three-stage structure that includes the member states, the Union and third countries.

The author of the present report argues compellingly that the Union needs to develop a balanced approach to migration from third countries linking it to other policy areas such as trade, development policy as well as the traditional foreign policy. The recent ‘migration dialogue’ with third country partners offers a promising approach that should be pursued. The author notes, however, that the deep economic downturn might radically change the way EU member states consider the consequences of immigration stemming from outside the EU in that rising domestic unemployment may discourage ‘managed immigration’ of skilled workers. The intensified intra-EU migration obviously also plays a part in this context. These issues pose numerous challenges for policy-makers to consider and merit vigorous public debate.