CEPS欧洲政策研究中心-Rethinking-EU-migration-and-asylum-policies-_8211-CEPS_51页_1mb

2019 MEDAM Assessment Report Summary: Rethinking EU Migration and Asylum Policies

Core Content

The 2019 MEDAM Assessment Report provides an in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities in shaping more effective, sustainable, and humane asylum and migration policies in the European Union. It highlights the need for a rethinking of current approaches, emphasizing the importance of cooperation with countries of origin and transit, as well as greater flexibility and solidarity among EU member states.

Main Views and Key Insights

1. Public Attitudes and Policy Preferences

• Stability and Change: Public attitudes toward immigration have remained fairly stable across most European countries, but the perceived importance of migration as a policy issue has increased.
• Local Impact: In areas with a higher share of migrants, attitudes tend to be more positive, but this is moderated by socioeconomic conditions. As local conditions worsen (e.g., higher unemployment), the positive impact of migration diminishes.
• Support for Protection with Controls: Europeans generally support refugee protection but also favor policy controls, such as limits and conditions, in asylum and migration systems. There is no evidence of widespread support for highly restrictive policies that eliminate protection and assistance.
• Communication and Design: To secure public support, policy design and communication must align with public concerns, including the perceived lack of state control over immigration.

2. Cooperation with Countries of Origin and Transit

• Necessity of Collaboration: Effective management of irregular immigration and asylum requires close cooperation not only among EU member states but also with countries of origin and transit.
• Diverging Interests: Countries of origin and transit may have diverging interests in border and migration management, so cooperation must be broad and inclusive to ensure mutual benefits and political sustainability.
• Humanitarian Considerations: Border and migration management must adhere to humanitarian standards and migrants' rights, even as the EU seeks to control flows.
• Legal Migration as a Solution: Legal labor migration opportunities in the EU can serve as a viable alternative to irregular migration and reduce pressure on asylum systems.
• Development and Integration: Low- and middle-income countries host the majority of the world's refugees. The EU should support these countries through financial and technical assistance to improve refugee integration and discourage secondary migration.

3. EU and Member State Policies

• Reforming the Common European Asylum System (CEAS): The current package approach to reforming the CEAS, which seeks agreement on all legislative files simultaneously, has blocked progress. A file-by-file approach could help break the deadlock.
• Relocation of Asylum Seekers: Only a few small EU countries are overburdened by asylum applications. A coalition of willing countries should be established to relieve pressure on these states by relocating asylum seekers from the Central Mediterranean.
• Financial Solidarity: The 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) offers an opportunity to strengthen financial solidarity among member states. A dedicated budget line compensating member states for asylum seekers could encourage more equitable sharing of responsibilities.
• Monitoring Mechanism: A scoreboard or monitoring system should be introduced to track member states' contributions and exposure to asylum and migration policies, promoting transparency and accountability.
• Voluntary Relocation and Resettlement: The EU should support voluntary relocation and resettlement programs, especially for vulnerable refugees, and provide humanitarian visas when necessary.

Key Recommendations

• Stakeholder Engagement: The EU must engage in broad and open dialogue with stakeholders, including civil society and policy makers, to develop sustainable and implementable solutions.
• Self-Enforcing Agreements: Cooperation should be based on self-enforcing agreements that benefit all parties and are politically sustainable.
• EU Leadership: The European Commission plays a key role in shaping migration and asylum policies and should lead the debate on how to reform and coordinate these policies.
• Humanitarian and Development Focus: The EU should prioritize humanitarian support for refugees in low- and middle-income countries, development assistance, and legal migration pathways.

Conclusion

The 2019 MEDAM Assessment Report underscores the need for a new approach to EU migration and asylum policies. It advocates for greater cooperation with non-EU countries, flexible solidarity mechanisms, and well-designed policies that reflect public concerns and humanitarian principles. The report emphasizes that effective and humane border management and refugee protection require shared responsibility and constructive dialogue among all stakeholders.