Migration Policies of the European Union with its Mediterranean Partners - Necessity of Greater Mobility

Detaljna analiza 25-04-2014

The construction of an integrated Euro-Mediterranean region necessarily requires the establishment of strong cooperation in the field of migration. For this reason, migration must be considered a real opportunity, bringing benefits for the countries and populations of the two shores of the Mediterranean. This report analyses European migration policies towards the Mediterranean Partner Countries before and after the Arab Spring. Furthermore, it highlights their key limitations and proposes specific recommendations in order to respond to the imperative of greater mobility in the region. In order to achieve this, migration policies, often the source of passionate debate, must be tackled serenely and be the subject of constant dialogue between the parties involved, including civil society. These policies must not only meet objectives with regard to controlling migration flows but surpass them and render them an integral part of a coherent and comprehensive development policy for neighbouring countries. The EU must also develop a more attractive policy vis-à-vis migrant workers, which is able to respond to the labour shortages in certain segments of the European market and increase the likelihood of the country of origin benefiting from the competencies acquired in Europe. In this context, the participation of Euro-Mediterranean professional networks is to be encouraged.