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| By being tough on migration Europe can also be humane | By being tough on migration Europe can also be humane |
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| At the outset of the migration crisis a year ago, some took it as a given that the wave of people was too big to stop. One consequence of this was to suspend the EU’s Schengen and Dublin rules, leading to the opening up of our territory to uncontrolled migration. Europeans experienced increasing helplessness and uncertainty, along with more or less justified fears about security, the ability to integrate newcomers into our societies, and the social and financial implications of an unrestricted flow of people. | At the outset of the migration crisis a year ago, some took it as a given that the wave of people was too big to stop. One consequence of this was to suspend the EU’s Schengen and Dublin rules, leading to the opening up of our territory to uncontrolled migration. Europeans experienced increasing helplessness and uncertainty, along with more or less justified fears about security, the ability to integrate newcomers into our societies, and the social and financial implications of an unrestricted flow of people. |
| This growing unease provided fertile ground for radical, populist, often nationalist sentiment. With surprising intensity, the debate became infused with apocalyptic prophesies and questions about the future of Europe. | This growing unease provided fertile ground for radical, populist, often nationalist sentiment. With surprising intensity, the debate became infused with apocalyptic prophesies and questions about the future of Europe. |
| Stopping this dangerous trend required a change of paradigm. So, several months ago, I proposed we make the reverse assumption, that the wave of migration is too big not to stop. Our priority should be to have a proper migration policy. The EU and its member states must regain the capacity to decide who crosses our borders, where and when. Paradoxically, this is essential to operating a rational and humane asylum policy. Without such an approach, tragedies at sea will also continue. We know the gravity of the present situation. On Wednesday, the UN refugee agency said up to 500 migrants might have died when a large ship sank in the Mediterranean last week. | Stopping this dangerous trend required a change of paradigm. So, several months ago, I proposed we make the reverse assumption, that the wave of migration is too big not to stop. Our priority should be to have a proper migration policy. The EU and its member states must regain the capacity to decide who crosses our borders, where and when. Paradoxically, this is essential to operating a rational and humane asylum policy. Without such an approach, tragedies at sea will also continue. We know the gravity of the present situation. On Wednesday, the UN refugee agency said up to 500 migrants might have died when a large ship sank in the Mediterranean last week. |
| Framing the debate in a new way has had an impact and brought cautious hope, though we are under no illusions that the problem is now solved. We are facing months, perhaps years, of effort and difficult choices. But what we see now is positive data on the Balkan route, which until a few weeks ago was the main artery. The numbers are telling: 70,000 people in January, 50,000 in February, 30,000 in March, and in April approximately 3,000. | Framing the debate in a new way has had an impact and brought cautious hope, though we are under no illusions that the problem is now solved. We are facing months, perhaps years, of effort and difficult choices. But what we see now is positive data on the Balkan route, which until a few weeks ago was the main artery. The numbers are telling: 70,000 people in January, 50,000 in February, 30,000 in March, and in April approximately 3,000. |
| Three decisions were key to this. First, the European council decided to end the wave-through approach and to return to full compliance with Schengen. The leaders reaffirmed that there would be no European solution without respect for European law. In mid-2015, when the crisis struck with full force, Europe ignored its own principles and laws, thus demonstrating weakness and indecision. Drawing fresh conclusions in February was a breakthrough in this respect. It should serve as a lesson. | Three decisions were key to this. First, the European council decided to end the wave-through approach and to return to full compliance with Schengen. The leaders reaffirmed that there would be no European solution without respect for European law. In mid-2015, when the crisis struck with full force, Europe ignored its own principles and laws, thus demonstrating weakness and indecision. Drawing fresh conclusions in February was a breakthrough in this respect. It should serve as a lesson. |
| What we see now is positive data on the Balkan route, which until a few weeks ago was the main artery | What we see now is positive data on the Balkan route, which until a few weeks ago was the main artery |
| Second was the permanent inclusion of the Balkan countries in the union’s migration priorities. The coming months will require further support. I became involved in this process fully aware of the risks and controversies it entails. Cooperation with our Balkan partners such as Macedonia is not easy. But political leadership is about the readiness to make difficult decisions, even in the face of hostile public opinion. | Second was the permanent inclusion of the Balkan countries in the union’s migration priorities. The coming months will require further support. I became involved in this process fully aware of the risks and controversies it entails. Cooperation with our Balkan partners such as Macedonia is not easy. But political leadership is about the readiness to make difficult decisions, even in the face of hostile public opinion. |
| And finally, EU-Turkey cooperation. For many of us it was at least as controversial. It was reached because the leaders decided it was the most effective way to support Greece and break the smugglers’ business model in the Aegean sea. I mobilised all the member states to support this on two absolute conditions: that the interests of the members of our community, for instance Cyprus, are protected; and that it is in full accordance with EU and international law. The cooperation is an important element of our strategy, but let us bear in mind that it is merely one of many elements. | And finally, EU-Turkey cooperation. For many of us it was at least as controversial. It was reached because the leaders decided it was the most effective way to support Greece and break the smugglers’ business model in the Aegean sea. I mobilised all the member states to support this on two absolute conditions: that the interests of the members of our community, for instance Cyprus, are protected; and that it is in full accordance with EU and international law. The cooperation is an important element of our strategy, but let us bear in mind that it is merely one of many elements. |
| The solution in the Balkans and the agreement with Turkey are not a universal model applicable to other migration routes, including the central Mediterranean route. Libya is not Turkey. Closing the border on the Brenner pass would be a blow at the heart of Schengen. For this reason the “migration compact”, recently proposed by Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, is welcome. Europe should also back Italy in its actions against smugglers, which will likely require greater involvement in Libya. | The solution in the Balkans and the agreement with Turkey are not a universal model applicable to other migration routes, including the central Mediterranean route. Libya is not Turkey. Closing the border on the Brenner pass would be a blow at the heart of Schengen. For this reason the “migration compact”, recently proposed by Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi, is welcome. Europe should also back Italy in its actions against smugglers, which will likely require greater involvement in Libya. |
| No one else is going to protect our borders for us. We cannot hand over the keys to our territory, to our security, to any third country. This applies to Turkey as well as to north African countries. Our helplessness would tempt others to blackmail Europe. Too often I have heard from our neighbours that Europe should give in, otherwise it will be flooded by migrants. But our cooperation will be a cooperation of partners only when we regain our own ability to control migration. | No one else is going to protect our borders for us. We cannot hand over the keys to our territory, to our security, to any third country. This applies to Turkey as well as to north African countries. Our helplessness would tempt others to blackmail Europe. Too often I have heard from our neighbours that Europe should give in, otherwise it will be flooded by migrants. But our cooperation will be a cooperation of partners only when we regain our own ability to control migration. |
| Only strong states are capable of supporting those in need on a large scale, without the risk of self-destruction. Tough policies do not rule out humanitarian goals – quite the opposite: only determined policies enable their implementation. If we want Europe to remain open and tolerant, we can no longer allow ourselves to be helpless. We need the solidarity and determination of all member states in every aspect of migration policy: relocation, humanitarian aid, external actions, and most crucially protecting our external borders. What is at stake is not only the future of Schengen, but the future of our community. | Only strong states are capable of supporting those in need on a large scale, without the risk of self-destruction. Tough policies do not rule out humanitarian goals – quite the opposite: only determined policies enable their implementation. If we want Europe to remain open and tolerant, we can no longer allow ourselves to be helpless. We need the solidarity and determination of all member states in every aspect of migration policy: relocation, humanitarian aid, external actions, and most crucially protecting our external borders. What is at stake is not only the future of Schengen, but the future of our community. |
| Recent experience with Turkey shows that Europe must set clear limits to its concessions. We can negotiate money but never our values. We cannot impose our standards on the rest of the world. Equally, others cannot impose their standards on us. Our freedoms, including freedom of expression, will not be part of political bargaining with any partner. The Turkish president must heed this message. | Recent experience with Turkey shows that Europe must set clear limits to its concessions. We can negotiate money but never our values. We cannot impose our standards on the rest of the world. Equally, others cannot impose their standards on us. Our freedoms, including freedom of expression, will not be part of political bargaining with any partner. The Turkish president must heed this message. |
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