On Monday 26 June at the opening of the civil society day events organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU High Representative for Foreign and Common Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, suggested that there was a need for the European Union to break “a taboo” and recognise its responsibility “to open channels for legal immigration”.
The political leader pointed out that, “Sometimes, we act as if we do not need migration”. In a reference to constant population movements throughout history and the prosperity to which migrants have contributed in host countries, she claimed that without migration, “the EU would collapse”. She also proposed that the EESC prepare an opinion on the “cost of non-migration” on the lines of an opinion prepared on what the cost would be to European citizens if European Union did not exist.
Ms Mogherini expressed her wish that political leaders, civil society actors and the media were able to change the way in which migration questions were treated, by using positive terms and also by recounting positive stories in this regard. She explained that, “no human being is illegal on earth” there just happen to be illegal channels of migration.
At a European level, there are a few legal migration channels open to third country nationals who are unable to claim refugee status. The directive on the “Blue card” that awards work permits to highly qualified people, is currently being revised (see EUROPE 11809).
A reduction in populism or just a lull?
In an effort to seize this opportunity, EESC President, Georges Dassis, promised to carry out research work into the potential financial impact of there being no migration. By introducing future debates on the question of population in Europe, he mentioned that he had witnessed election results in the Netherlands and France that revealed messages of optimism, even though “nothing had yet been won” on this issue. He warned that if everything was not done to protect citizens and we did not get back to basics such as social cohesion, “one thing is certain, the populists will get the upper hand”.
Ms Mogherini made a reference to the prophecies made by those a year ago who predicted the beginning of the end of the EU, following the victory of the Brexit supporters in the British referendum. She said that “there had been a real response” towards the populist tenancy because citizens were now focused on what they could lose if they played with fire in terms of social, economic and political rights. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)