Some consequences of the proposed new pact on migration and ayslum for the EU Mediterranean countries

Abstract

On 23 September 2020 the European Commission has proposed the New Migration Pact on Asylum and Migration. The pact is not only intended to address the systematic flaws exposed by the 2015 migration crisis, but also to overcome the contention among member states which led to an impasse in previous reform attempts. Applying an interdisciplinary qualitative methodology, this dissertation outlined issues and debates that paved the way for the pact, explored thoroughly the initiatives proposed as part of the pact concerning screening and border procedure, solidarity framework, search and rescue and the external dimension and, in addition, analysed how the Mediterranean member states are to be affected by such proposals. The research found out that the Mediterranean member states have been actively promoting long-term reform, conveying a hint of dissatisfaction with the status quo. The proposed pact aims to strike a balance between fair share of responsibility and solidarity and tries to accommodate opposing sides as much as possible. Hence, its initiatives have been received differently by member states, according to their interests and depending on their actual or perceived circumstances. This research noted how mandatory screening and border procedures constitute additional responsibilities, while the mandatory flexible solidarity, albeit a step in the right direction, does not provide effective solidarity to Mediterranean member states. On issues pertinent to search and rescue, directly impacted Mediterranean member states have successfully maintained the status quo, dodging long-term solutions in the Mediterranean region. On the other hand, as for the ambitious external dimension, the pact’s non-legal initiatives have also been supported by the Mediterranean member states, since they follow the same strategy based on preventing migrants from entering and returning them as soon as possible.