(6 November 2024, Brussels)
Speakers:
- Rainer Münz – Senior Research Associate, Martens Centre; Visiting Professor, Central European University, Vienna
- Jemal Yaryyeva – Data Analyst, Austrian Integration Fund, Vienna
- Loránt Vincze – Member of European Parliament, EPP
- Nicolas Pouvreau-Monti – Director, Observatory for Migration and Demography, Paris
Moderators:
- Tomi Huhtanen – Executive Director, Martens Centre
- Vit Novotný – Senior Research Officer, Martens Centre
This event organized by the Martens Centre aimed to analyze the major issues of migration policy in Europe. In a context marked by troubles managing migratory flows; strategic, economic, and coordinated approaches at the European level remain critical points of contention. This event followed the publication of a migration report by the Martens Centre.
Strategic and economic issues of migration in Europe
Rainer Münz began by highlighting that Europe has historically been a destination for migration, but recent crises, such as the one in 2015, have revealed the limits of national systems. In response to the influx of refugees, many European states made divergent decisions, intensifying tensions within the European Union. Münz illustrated these challenges by explaining how frontline countries, like Greece and Italy, had to handle most of the inflows on their own, without adequate support from other member states. He advocates for a proactive approach to migration management, clearly distinguishing between different categories of migrants – economic, humanitarian, and family reunification – to create specific policies tailored to each type of migration.
Jemal Yaryyeva continued by highlighting the positive impact of skilled migrants on the economies of host countries. She cited the example of Germany, where sectors such as healthcare and engineering benefit from the arrival of skilled workers, helping to address labor shortages. Additionally, Yaryyeva noted that skilled migrants contribute to funding social security systems, which helps alleviate demographic pressures due to population aging. However, she also discussed the challenges posed by unskilled migration, which is sometimes perceived by parts of the population as an economic burden. This perception can lead to social tensions and a negative view of migration. Yaryyeva recommends active integration policies for these migrants, aimed at maximizing their economic contributions while reducing social tensions within host communities.
Toward a coordinated european migration policy
Vit Novotný addressed the issue of coordinating migration policies among member states. According to him, the current fragmentation, where each country applies its own asylum criteria, leads to inconsistencies and pressures within the Union. He provided the example of varying asylum policies, which lead to a “race to the bottom” and encourage migrants to move from one European country to another to increase their chances of acceptance. Novotný asked for harmonizing asylum rules and sharing responsibilities among member states to ensure a more equitable and effective response to migration challenges. Loránt Vincze reinforced this view by emphasizing that frontline states, like Greece and Italy, need to be supported through an intra-European solidarity mechanism. He mentioned that, without an equitable distribution of asylum seekers, these countries bear a disproportionate burden, fueling criticism of European migration policy. Vincze proposes a quota system that considers each country’s reception capacity, as well as the cultural or linguistic ties of migrants, to promote a more harmonious integration process.
Finally, Nicolas Pouvreau-Monti emphasized the importance of basing migration policies on concrete data and reliable forecasts. He advocated for the creation of a European migration observatory, responsible for centralizing and analyzing data on migratory flows. This institution would provide prospective analyses for policymakers to better anticipate future migration waves and adapt policies accordingly. Pouvreau-Monti suggested that this observatory could become an essential tool for an informed migration governance, based on facts and clear objectives.