Decision time for the EU’s strategy on migration

Outlet: Arab News

Language: English

Abstract: The EU’s ambitious plans to curb irregular migration from North Africa face mounting challenges as key partners Egypt and Tunisia hesitate to deepen cooperation on border controls and migrant returns. Despite significant funding and diplomatic overtures, Cairo and Tunis are showing resistance, casting doubt on the EU’s migration pact and exposing its reliance on external alliances. This reluctance, whether as leverage for more favorable terms or as a reflection of national interests, underscores the fragility of the EU's strategy of externalizing border management.

As migration shifts and asylum claims surge, the EU faces a pivotal moment; without North African cooperation, southern Europe risks exposure to increased migrant flows, which could strain internal political unity, fuel nationalist sentiments, and potentially lead to unilateral actions by front-line states like Italy and Greece. The situation also raises concerns over the EU’s moral and ethical obligations, particularly amid reports of human rights abuses linked to EU funding in North Africa.

For the EU, the next steps are critical. Will it reassess its dependence on third-party countries, fortify oversight mechanisms, and pursue partnerships that address migration’s root causes? Or will it persist on a path that risks perpetuating instability and undermining its own standing? The future of EU migration policy and its broader moral authority now hang in the balance.

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