Migration policy of the European Union

In order to regulate and control the high number of migrants as a result of the migration crisis in 2015, the EU annually directs its efforts to develop an effective European migration policy.[1] The creation of a migration policy and its functioning is based on the collection of data about the current state of affairs, in particular the statistics of the number of legal and illegal migrants who have crossed the borders of the European Union. Despite the fact that migration policy is internally determined, it also serves as an international regulator because it is related to crossing state borders. Accordingly, events at the international level directly affect the development of this type of policy.

Based on the data published by UNHCR, as a result of hostilities in Syria, almost 22% of the country's population (with estimated of 4 million people) turned out to be refugees and internally displaced persons by the beginning of 2015.[2] At the same time as a results of new EU policies, in 2017 the number of migrants has decreased – during the first quarter of 2017, number of immigrants and refugees accounted for 35% of their numbers of the first quarter of 2016.

Decisions on the migration crisis are formulated in the final documents of the European Council, adopted on February 18, March 7 and 18, 2016, which can be grouped in three major areas:

Firstly, the EU has provided financial and expert support, to countries that have accepted the main migration flow, in particular Greece, which will facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees, the observance of administrative procedures for border control and the processing of asylum requests in accordance with the rules EU. Reception centers are being set up, where newly arrived migrants will pass a quick check and will be divided into those whose asylum requests can be considered, and those for whom the further path is closed.[10] In addition, transit centers are organized to which candidates for asylum or other forms of international protection will be sent.

Secondly, the EU has concluded an agreement with Turkey, which clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties in connection with the influx of refugees and migrants traveling through Turkey to Europe. According to this agreement, migrants who illegally arrived in Greece from Turkey will be sent back to Turkey, and Europe will accept migrants only on condition that their asylum requests are submitted and approved in Turkish territory. Also, the Turkish authorities from now are obliged to block the channels of smuggling and illegal transportation of people to Europe. Meanwhile, the EU gave the right to legal employment and education of Syrian children in Turkish schools. In exchange, European leaders agreed to pay compensation of €3 billion to Turkey in 2016–2017, expedite the abolition of visas for Turkish citizens entering the Schengen zone, and resume the stalled negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU[11][12]

Thirdly, in accordance with the obligation taken by all EU countries to return to compliance with the Schengen rules and establish strict border controls, additional resources were allocated to specialized services, including the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the European Asylum Support Service for persons applying for obtaining asylum (EASO).[13]

Based on statistics published by UNHCR, these EU decisions have significantly affected the number of people crossing the Greek border - the number of migrants has more than halved. However, according to critics, the decline in migration occurred due to the fact that people in anticipation of a new EU-Turkey agreement, massively emigrated to Greece before its adoption in order to avoid migration problems after the agreement formal entry into force. Therefore, new agreement has no influence on the declining number of migrants.[14]

In 2017, the EU migration policy was tightened. At the summit held in Brussels on October 19, 2017, it was indicated that the approach of the EU Member States and institutions to ensure full control over the borders should be consolidated.[15] Moreover, the conclusions of the European Council indicate its readiness to respond and suppress any attempts to illegally cross the borders of EU Member States. However, the settlement of the issue did not become clearer due to presence of EU's “vicious circle” problem, which consists in confronting immigrant flows and at the same time in complying with the principles protecting the human rights of migrants, combating poverty, etc.[16]

Representatives of the European Commission and countries which support the adoption of migrants emphasize the need to fulfill international obligations, focusing on the priority of migrant security. Meanwhile, opponents of the reception of migrants emphasize that the highest value is the security of the state and its citizens highlighting that migration could be an economic, cultural and religious risk. As a result of this, phobia of Islamization based on the socio-political as well as cultural dominance of Islam in the EU countries emerges.[17]

Unshakable human rights enter into confrontation with the slogans on the expulsion of migrants, the course to which the EU has proclaimed. The position of national states in relation to migrants who violate public order and impose their own way of life is becoming tougher, which unconditionally leads to a restriction of the rights of migrants, and soon and a possible subsequent restriction of the rights of indigenous people.

• Asylum in the European Union
• Illegal immigration
• Immigration to Greece
• List of sovereign states and dependent territories by immigrant population
• European migrant crisis
• Free movement protocol
• Temporary Protection Directive