“We should have many Zlatan” to show that integration is “possible” and that “it can deliver positive results for everyone.” The exemplary figure recalled is that of professional footballer Ibrahimović, who plays for the Sweden national team, wanted by all big clubs in Europe, born in Sweden to a Muslim Bosniak father and a Croatian mother who fled from ex Yugoslavia and settled in Sweden, where the future football star was born in 1981. This unusual story of migration was recalled by Frans Timmermans, deputy vice-president of the European Commission. Timmermans came to Strasbourg to present, on Tuesday, June 7, the new Migration Compact. Summarizing the various proposals of the Executive, he tried to explain that, if well managed, migration flows are not to be demonized and can even bring advantages.
Looking beyond the emergency situation. The EU Commission took the podium at the European Parliament – seeking legislative support – to present two different initiatives in the area of migration.
But this time the issue is not the refugee crisis.
The College guided by Juncker, far from avoiding it, reiterated the obstacles linked to first reception, barges crossing the Mediterranean, the Balkan route, the failure of the previous resettlement plans, border control, repatriations. The EU Countries, taken aback, are proceeding in scattered ranks and the most they can do is to staunch urgent problems … Indeed all the questions on migrant reception and on international protection remain unanswered. However, there is the need to have a broader horizon, namely, to focus upstream, i.e. on the root causes of migration, and downstream, that is, the integration of legal migrants into Europe for reasons related to work or those granted international protection rights. In the light of this, what is the next step? Timmermans and the High Representative for foreign policy Federica Mogherini have illustrated the Migration Compact, an investment plan for the socio-economic development of countries of origin and transit of migrants, in order to prevent and avoid the flows. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos, has brought to the table an action plan to support the Member States in the integration of third country citizens, including the so-called Blue Card.
Strengthened partnerships. The Migration Compact basically consists in a set of “deals” between the EU and migrants’ Countries of origin (without a preliminary distinction between individuals and people fleeing from war and persecution, hunger, environmental disasters etc.), in order
To prevent migration thereby helping African and Middle-Eastern countries undertake the path of development.
The first phase of the plan would involve Jordan, Lebanon, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia, Tunisia and Libya. Federica Mogherini clarified: “Millions of people are on the move worldwide and we can only manage this if we act globally, in full partnership. For this reason, we are proposing a new approach for strong partnerships with key countries. Our goal, while staying focused on saving lives at sea and dismantling smugglers’ networks, is to support the countries that host so many people and foster growth in our partner countries.” She added: “We are ready to increase financial and operational support and to invest in long-term economic and social development, security, rule of law and human rights, improving people’s life and tackling the drivers of migration.”
Not enough money… “Tailored compacts” that will be developed “according to the situation and needs of each partner country”, can presently rely on a limited amount of funds, which must be verified. In the short term, €500 million are available from the EU budget, that could be extended to 2-3 billion and eventually to 8 over a five-year period. As always, the Commission counts on the financial commitment of member Countries, on a not well-defined “multiplication effect” to which should be added the investments of African or Middle-Eastern partners (as well as private stakeholders), for a total amount of 62 billion euro!
The Migration Compact (which is to be considered by Parliament and EU Council) is an extremely detailed plan, although, according to a large number of MEPs, it resembles the agreement with Turkey – money in exchange for the reception of migrations – an evaluation rejected by the Executive.
Indeed, Timmermans is aware that “walls” and populism feed on uncontrolled migrant landings and on “illegal” migrants…. He called to the “respect of every human life” but also reminded that “asylum regulations must be observed, if not, the option is repatriations.”
For everyone’s benefit. In Strasbourg Dimitris Avramopoulos illustrated proposals to favour legal migration (which aged Europe “needs”) along with the integration of migrants beneficiaries of international protection. “Such interventions – the Commissioner underlined – will benefit European enterprises to attract highly skilled talent from abroad.” “In fact, long-term management of migration requires investing today. It’s in everyone’s interests.”
The Blue Card system, which dates back to 2009 and with later revisions, “will make it easier and more attractive for highly qualified third-country nationals to come and work EU” .
The Commissioner ensured that the intention is not to create a “brain drain” from poor countries. Moreover, he reflected out loud, “the costs of non-integration would be much higher than that of investments – for example, in the area of education – necessary for integration.”
