Migration and mobility: a key for the EU to win the hearts and minds of Ukrainians

The Ukrainian political crisis over the EU association agreement stands as the most painful reminder of the unresolved issues that will determine the future of Europe in its geographical borders. Ukrainian society is deeply divided about the country’s future international alignment: while a short majority is in favour of having closer relations with the EU, the other part of the population supports closer links with Russia, instead. The direction that Ukraine will take depends on many factors. Mobility and migration issues between the biggest Eastern European country and the European Union are particularly important in this respect. People-to-people contacts determine cultural and mental affinity, create understanding and help ‘build bridges’. If the EU wants to win the hearts and minds of all Ukrainians and promote its democratic model, it should act boldly and change geographical dynamics, spurring more mobility from Ukraine towards the EU.
So what is the reality of migration and mobility between the EU and Ukraine today and what should be done?

Read more on the MPC blog.

Migrants smuggled by sea to the EU: facts, laws and policy options

On 3 October 2013, 366 migrants drowned when their boat sank less than a mile off the shore of the Italian island of Lampedusa. A number of questions must be addressed in finding the best policy response to this tragedy. Was it the sign of a new trend in irregular migration to the EU; or was it a sign of increased risks associated with smuggling? Do smuggled migrants resemble regular asylum seekers and migrants or do they represent a specific group? In other words do the Lampedusa events call for a drastic revision of EU asylum and migration policy or an ad hoc response?

Articles have been written on this research in the newspaper La Repubblica and on ANSAmed’s website.

EU Responses to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

The interactive map on ‘EU Responses to the Syrian Refugee Crisis’ provides information on the recent political and humanitarian actions of the European Union and of EU Member States, in addition to Norway and Switzerland, regarding the Syrian refugee crisis. By clicking on each individual country, one can access detailed information on: the numbers of Syrians seeking asylum; the financial amount of humanitarian aid pledged or provided; recent political actions taken in regards to the Syrian conflict; and recent humanitarian efforts to provide assistance to those affected.