The Gateway SPI Strategic Policies & Ideas
Farzad Ramezani Bonesh
New immigration laws of the European Union and the Middle East
The European Union has one of the largest immigrant populations in the world. The presence of Middle Eastern immigrants in the European Union increased after colonization, World War II, and the wave of labor migration, and since the Syrian civil war in 2015, a new wave of Middle Eastern immigrants started to go to the EU.
In recent decades, the journey of citizens of the Middle East to the European Union has continued despite ups and downs and the matter has turned into a crisis. Therefore, the EU’s Parliament recently approved[1] an important package on immigration and asylum treaty laws.[2]
Axis and principles such as faster examination of the asylum application, more effective efficiency, better identification upon arrival; A better response in crises, solidarity and responsibility to help EU countries (under migration pressure), dealing with crises during a sudden increase in the arrival of third-country nationals, and managing the use of migrants by third countries or non-state actors[3] have been under consideration by European Parliament.
The new rules also address border screening, Eurodac regulations, new uniform standards for all member states for asylum status, and a new framework on resettlement and humanitarian admissions from third countries.[4]
Reasons for continued migration from the Middle East to Europe
In the last decade, factors such as lack of job opportunities, poverty, unemployment, high fertility rate, increasing population, inflation, the disproportion between income and expenditure, housing problems, lack of public health and education, lack of social and cultural stability, ethnic, religious and sexual discrimination, unbalanced distribution of wealth, drought, unfavourable weather conditions, and lack of water have all been factors in increasing migration from the Middle East to Europe.
Also, conflict, violence, weak governments, corruption, violation of human rights, war, political insecurity, lack of political stability, lack of political freedom, dissatisfaction with the government, revolution, coup, lack of political freedom, transparency, etc., have led to the increase of immigration from The Middle East to Europe.
The countries of the European Union and the Middle East are separated only by the Mediterranean Sea. In the meantime, geographical proximity, better facilities, good infrastructure, the attractiveness of the destination community, and the wider and better infrastructure and potential of Europe have increased the motivation to enter the region.
The effects and consequences of the new European Union immigration laws on the Middle East
Last year, the EU saw the highest number of asylum applications in seven years and the biggest increase in illegal arrivals since 2016.[5] According to Frontex[6] statistics, there was a significant increase in immigration in 2023. Although the number of migrants from the south and southeast routes has decreased to much lower levels than in 2015,[7] the Middle East is still one of the main sources of migration.
Migrants from the Middle East in EU countries are divided into several categories[8] of workers, family repatriates, refugees, and illegal immigrants. Considering the previous presence of ISIS[9] terrorists in Europe, the new Eurodac[10] regulations for the data of suspicious or security-threatening migrants will make it easier to control radical refugees.
New laws have been aimed at making sure that the immigrants do not challenge the process of European integration.
But from the point of view of some in the Middle East, the new laws will be a way of countering the increase in the population and the increase in the geopolitical weight of Muslim immigrants. Therefore, the confrontation between Islamic identity and European identity may have an “ideological” dimension.
If Islamophobia is introduced as a threat against the security and values of European countries it may cause the Middle East countries to react. On the other hand, the role of immigrants in the development of the countries of origin and the good social welfare of the EU economy is still a great attraction for Middle Eastern immigrants.
Also, the geographical proximity of the Middle East to Europe, and destructive events have a more important effect on migration, and major migration flows are mainly influenced by the conditions of the Middle East.
On top of the criticism of more than 160 migrant charities and non-governmental organizations [11](a betrayal of EU values), human rights groups are concerned [12]about the abandonment of human rights to limit asylum and crack down on immigration, and the negative effects of the new system. Even before ne recent package, the human rights watchdog of the European Union, for example, expressed[13] its concern about the agreement with Egypt, to prevent migration.
It seems that human rights groups and political opposition in the Middle East are also steadfast in criticizing this system. While the European Union must balance[14] population decline by using immigration in the coming years, climate changes and environmental crises in the Middle East will continue to create a large flow of migration to Europe.
There has always been a direct relationship between political and security disturbances in Asia and the Middle East and the expansion of migration to Europe. Although the new plan will lead to fewer immigrants entering Europe, the “attraction factors” have not disappeared and the immigrants still want to leave the challenges such as economic deprivation and political strife in the Middle East.
Some polls in Arab 2022 showed[15] that the percentage of Tunisians willing to emigrate has more than doubled between 2011-2022. In addition, it is likely that for some countries in the Middle East, the new reforms and sending some asylum seekers to “safe” countries (a model similar to the Rwanda plan) will be criticized.
The European Union’s approach to the Eastern Mediterranean[16] or Middle East migration route requires more cooperation with key countries of origin and transit along the route, including Turkey, Iran, Egypt, etc. The European Union Global Strategy (EUGS), proposed to support migrant transit [17] countries to accept asylum seekers.
Therefore, since 2016, the European Union has sought to[18] reduce and commit to preventing illegal immigration through agreements with Tunisia and Turkey. With declarations signed in Cairo on March 17, 2024,[19] the European Union and the promise of aid to Egypt consider it part of the effort to prevent the flow of migrants to Europe and prohibit the opening of new migration routes.
However, the challenge of economies such as Egypt, the continuation of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, chaotic security and economic conditions in some other countries, Israel’s war in Gaza, etc. can lead to the widespread displacement of refugees.
Many in Europe believe [20]that Russia and Belarus have “weaponized” migration by sending Middle Eastern migrants to EU countries. However, the new European laws cannot be practically effective against the weaponization of migration.
In the European Union Global Strategy (EUGS) it is important to create an “effective migration policy”,[21] but the MENA region is still the source of future migrations. Still, most refugees from Africa and Asia do not come to Europe but go to neighboring countries such as Iran. Therefore, the European Union’s efforts to prevent migration through executive agreements and financial support for Middle Eastern countries need more attention.
Vision
Europe has tried to set the stage for a fairer, more efficient, and sustainable framework for managing migration according to European values. The new immigration regulations are expected to take effect in two years after publication.[22]
The implementation of the new pact may be challenged in the upcoming elections in June, or in courts. Although many approaches like this agreement have already been ineffective in the United States, predicting the future of the most important drivers of migration – such as wars and economic recessions in the Middle East – is very difficult and unpredictable.
Undoubtedly, the new European policy on the flow of immigrants will have a negative or positive impact on the relations between the European Union and neighboring countries. However, Europe’s strategic priorities in the field of immigration, including responding to foreign conflicts and crises, and creating cooperation and protection capacities through foreign actions, can be given more attention.
Strategic interdependence, building relationships with key players, and consultation with Middle Eastern countries may maintain Europe’s standing power during the challenge of crisis for Europe.
[1]https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-eus-new-migration-rules-and-why-did-they-take-so-long-to-pass-227692
[2] https://www.thegatewayspi.org/en/meps-approve-the-new-migration-and-asylum-pact/
[3] https://www.thegatewayspi.org/en/meps-approve-the-new-migration-and-asylum-pact/
[4] https://www.thegatewayspi.org/en/meps-approve-the-new-migration-and-asylum-pact/
[5] https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2024/0411/Europe-s-model-on-migration
[6] https://www.frontex.europa.eu/media-centre/news/news-release/significant-rise-in-irregular-border-crossings-in-2023-highest-since-2016-C0gGpm
[7]https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-eus-new-migration-rules-and-why-did-they-take-so-long-to-pass-227692
[8] https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/264397
[9] https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/264397
[10] https://www.thegatewayspi.org/en/meps-approve-the-new-migration-and-asylum-pact/
[11]https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240410-eu-parliament-vote-stricter-migration-rules-landmark-asylum-reform
[12]https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-lawmakers-vote-migration-system-revamp-ahead-blocs-election-2024-04-10/
[13] https://www.reuters.com/world/ombudsman-raises-concern-over-eu-migration-deal-with-egypt-2024-03-19/
[14] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41597-023-02532-1
[15] https://ecfr.eu/publication/road-to-nowhere-why-europes-border-externalisation-is-a-dead-end/
[16] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/eu-action-plan-eastern-mediterranean-migration-2023-10-18_en
[17] https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt12877p6
[18] https://www.reuters.com/world/ombudsman-raises-concern-over-eu-migration-deal-with-egypt-2024-03-19/
[19]https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240317-eu-pledges-%E2%82%AC7-4-billion-in-aid-to-egypt-as-it-seeks-to-curb-migration
[20] https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2024/0411/Europe-s-model-on-migration
[21] https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt12877p6
[22] https://www.thegatewayspi.org/en/meps-approve-the-new-migration-and-asylum-pact/
