Migration versus Mobility in EU External Action towards Asia: A closer look at EU relations with China, India, the Philippines and Thailand

Abstract:

This CEPS Research Report provides a state-of-the-art analysis of the EU’s internal and external migration policies towards central and east Asian countries. It finds that these countries do not constitute a major source of irregular migration to Europe, but they manifest distinctly different socio-economic development prospects and enjoy different international relations statuses vis-à-vis the EU.

Focusing on the different institutional actors, normative tools and policy instruments responsible for the development of EU external action, the author examines how the Union’s migration policies are designed, framed and implemented towards largely populated and rapidly industrialising ‘strategic partners’, such as China and India, as well as with developing countries including the Philippines and Thailand.

Based on the evaluation of the impact that the existing framework of cooperation has on current migratory trajectories of Chinese, Indian, Filipino and Thai nationals, the paper put forward a set of policy recommendations. The aim is to facilitate the development of EU policies in a manner that at one and the same time maximises the positive impact of economic migration and ensures the fundamental rights of people on the move.