DON’T CLOSE BORDERS, MANAGE THEM: How to improve EU Policy on Migration through Libya
DON’T CLOSE BORDERS, MANAGE THEM: How to improve EU Policy on Migration through Libya

Author(s): Mattia Toaldo
Subject(s): Migration Studies
Published by: ECFR European Council on Foreign Relations
Keywords: migration Africa-Europe;
Summary/Abstract: Two years after the start of the refugee cri s i s , migrat ion flows via Libya to Europe are increasing, while deaths in the Mediterranean have skyrocketed. Current policies have failed to reduce the number of migrants reaching Europe’s shores. // The EU and its member states need to rethink their basic assumptions about migration and break popular taboos about the movement of people if they are going to reduce flows. The first step is to cast away the idea that borders can be completely closed to economic migrants. // The EU and its member states need to manage flows, rather than aiming to cut them to zero. To do this, legal migration channels should be opened so that illegal channels can be shut via a series of readmission agreements. // Through a coalition of the willing, EU member states can implement this policy, which should also involve establishing safe and quick procedures to guarantee asylum to refugees; reinforcing the Libyan economy and its local communities; building respect for the rule of law and human rights; and finally, broadening the scope of the EU Border Assistance Mission to Libya.

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