Risky Ways of Managing Migration Flows in Europe (cepInput)

"The management of migration flows to Europe remains a complex problem. Projects such as the pact between the United Kingdom and Rwanda or Italy and Albania or parts of the European Asylum Pact run the risk of being ineffective, costly and unfeasible for legal and practical reasons," warns Andrea De Petris, cep migration expert in Rome.

As these agreements usually involve the payment of large sums of money in favour of countries that also call for the detention of migrants, De Petris believes that their economic support could also lead to a deterioration in democratic conditions if these countries are led by populist or undemocratic governments.

To solve the dilemma, the cep expert proposes the formation of a panel of experts that should outline a legally secure framework for better control of migration, independent of national interests. According to De Petris, the proposals to date have instead led to a legal limbo based on "non-agreements" and relocation beyond the EU borders, in which fundamental human rights are suspended in the name of saving the lives of migrants. "Rights that Europe should by no means abandon if it wants to remain true to its fundamental principles," emphasises the cep expert.

Europe's citizens rightly demand an effective overall strategy. Otherwise, there is a risk of fuelling even more disappointment and further strengthening populist parties.