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Migration crisis or EU political crisis?

The migration crisis we are experiencing in recent years is becoming a source of discord in Europe. This lack of unity among the Member States contributes significantly to the deterioration of an already critical situation.

Nowadays we still can see how Europe remains divided over this issue. Some countries, such as those of the Visegrad group (Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia), remain in their position of rejection of a common migration policy, an example of which is the setting of quotas for the distribution of migrants between European countries. These countries also insist on the fact that asylum procedures should fall exclusively within the exclusive competence of States. Angela Merkel’s asylum policy is considered too generous by other States and leads to more categorical positions. The Austrian Chancellor, who is rather conservative, proposes the creation of reception centres for migrants to prevent illegal immigration. Whereas Italy and Greece opt for a more balanced distribution of migrants in the EU.

Italy’s refusal to receive the Aquarius ship further deepened the already existing disagreements between the Member States.

To ease tensions following this event, the French and Italian governments proposed to reform the Dublin regulations, strengthen external border controls through a stronger presence of the Frontex agency and close cooperation with targeted countries for the establishment of migrant orientation centres. The debate on the management of migration flows will be a priority in the next European Council of 28 and 29 June.

It is however important to remind that among the European programmes 2014-2020, the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) programme has a budget of 3.1 billion euro. Thus, AMIF has recently been mobilized to manage in an efficient way the flow of migrants.

The migration crisis is now representing a crucial challenge to maintain the union of the European States. It is not only about responding to a “migration emergency” but above all about calming this “European political crisis”. European cooperation for a common migration policy would be essential to continue to believe in a united Europe.

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