Migration challenges the essence
of the European Union

The German government’s recent decision to reintroduce border controls with its neighbors Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland marks a significant departure from the Schengen principles. This populist measure comes after substantial electoral losses for Germany’s governing coalition and aims to restrict access for both asylum seekers and illegal, undocumented immigrants.

This action is particularly concerning as it undermines the integrity of the Schengen Agreement, which facilitates free movement among European Union countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The Schengen system is designed to eliminate internal border checks, create economic efficiency and greatly reinforce the perception of unity and cooperation among European nations.

The migration crisis has been haunting Europe for years. Brussels and some individual member states introduced misguided rules, practices and immigration quotas under the guise of “solidarity” among the whole EU. This created tensions, not only with Central European countries that refused to go along with the new measures, and as a result have been inappropriately labeled as mean-spirited and unhelpful.

Reaching for migration solutions

Earlier this spring, the EU announced a pact aimed at managing the migration issue in a controlled manner. However, this pact appears to be more of a technocratic response than a genuine political solution, failing to address the ongoing migratory pressures. For instance, in just the first half of this year, approximately 19,000 people from Western Africa, primarily Mauritania, landed by boat on Spain’s Canary Islands.

This decision reflects a measure of desperation rather than a comprehensive strategy.

 

When Italy’s government agreed with Albania to establish processing centers for migrants undergoing lengthy asylum procedures, it sparked disapproval across Europe. In early October, Poland canceled the use of the EU asylum procedures in response to Belarus weaponizing migration to destabilize Europe by simply refusing people entrance. Minsk, supported by Moscow, has orchestrated a system to entice migrants from distant countries and push them across Poland’s eastern border.

Last week, EU leaders convened to address the ongoing migration crisis. The concept of “outplacing” migrants, proposed by Italy (and previously in Europe by the United Kingdom), has at long last gained acceptance and is being hailed by some as an innovative solution. However, the idea reflects desperation rather than a comprehensive strategy. The first challenge emerged already, as a court in Rome stopped the outplacement.

The problem is not solved, but instead kicked like a can further down the road. European governments consistently struggle to reach meaningful consensus, yet enhancing the protection of the EU’s external borders has become increasingly necessary. Additionally, the implications for welfare systems across member states cannot be overlooked.

Migrants should learn that reaching Europe will not necessarily mean receiving welfare benefits. Milton Friedman, a Nobel laureate in economics, famously stated, “You cannot simultaneously have free immigration and a welfare state.” Furthermore, immigrants who commit crimes need to be deported immediately without lengthy appeal processes.

The dead end

Economic development in countries of origin is crucial to solving the migration crisis. However, aside from significant waste in development aid, Europe’s engagement in Africa has achieved little by way of supporting local businesses, attracting investment and facilitating trade. European protectionism, often disguised as “consumer protection,” makes it difficult for African enterprises to access the EU market.

The introduction of the EU’s supply chain legislation has been particularly onerous. While its measures may offer European progressives a sense of moral satisfaction, albeit somewhat hypocritically, the law imposes standards and controls so stringent that it becomes practically impossible for European businesses to trade with, operate in, or invest in African and other developing countries. But this is what these countries need.

As there appears to be no real solution at the Union level, member states may start to chart their own paths. The mishandling of the migration issue could initiate an unfortunate dynamic that jeopardizes EU cohesion, posing a genuine threat to the very essence of European integration.

This comment was originally published here: https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/migration-eu-schengen-rules-gernamy/