Introduction
The European Union was formed to promote prosperity and security in Europe. The external borders of the community have dramatically changed with EU enlargement. New members have joined the union which has created more development opportunities and challenges. The European Neighborhood Policy therefore supports the underlying objectives of the European Security Strategy. Immigration challenges are particularly addressed in the ENP policy through a framework that defines international relations between member states in view of new neighbors joining the union from Eastern and Southern Europe (Uçarer& Lavenex 13). The policy was developed in 2004 in response to the enlarged EU and its new neighbors. The core objective for the ENP being to strengthen interactions between EU member states for the purpose of promoting their mutual prosperity, stability and security.
The European Neighborhood Policy seeks to strengthen the political relationship between partner countries by emphasizing on established principles such as democracy and human rights (Thränhardt& Miles19). The ENP advances a broader political relationship for the sake of economic integration and sustainable development through elaborate Action Plans and Treaty provisions. The ENP policy actually applies to all of its member states and its neighbors. ENP Action Plans sets out the terms of engagement between the European Union and each of the nations and the relevant political and economic agenda with a timeline perspective. Implementation of each Action Plans is jointly carried out through appropriate sub-committees which build on the existing partnerships between the EU and the state in question.
EU immigration policy
Background
Western European governments have developed measures to manage the flow of refugees and other immigrants into their territories. The measures have tightened restrictions at border points for the purpose of filtering access into the territories by asylum seekers and foreigners in general. It is apparent the restrictions have led to an upsurge in illegal migration as well as hindered genuine refugees from obtaining asylum. Lack of commitment by these governments to a legitimate immigration policy has forced refugees and other migrants interested in entering European countries to engage the services of smugglers and traffickers. Restrictive immigration policies have also interfered with the supply of workers in different economic sectors which are in dire need of labor. They have also worsened diplomatic relations with migrant-sending countries in addition to the poor racial relations.
As such, the limitations of migration policies in Western European countries to address the underlying challenges have compelled these countries to seek for alternative measures to solve the problem. EU states have thus engaged in bilateral policies between the migrant-sending countries and the transit states, through which migrant travel through to their destinations, in order to foster solid migration strategies (Lang& Varwick 25). The EU has been quite instrumental in designing an external policy that facilitates the migration of genuine people and refugees without creating loopholes for crime-related activities and terrorism. Sending and transit countries are bound by the EU external policy to ensure that border controls are strengthened in order to combat illegal entry, migrant smuggling and trafficking as well as the illegal stay and re-entry of unlawful immigrants.
Immigration policy is therefore one of the major priorities in the Action Plans of the European Neighborhood Policy. The objective of this important policy is to ensure that the benefits that accompanied EU‘s 2004 enlargement with neighboring nations is reinforced for the stability, security and prosperity of the participating countries. It is a great milestone in ensuring that the enlarged EU and its neighbors are insulated from emergence of new conflicts by integrating their efforts in common EU activities. Partner countries are therefore encouraged to express their priorities in the corresponding Action Plans whose fulfillment shall promote their co-operation in the European Union.
The privileged relationship brought about by the European Neighborhood Policy is based on the common values and commitments to fighting insecurity, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and conflict resolution between member states (Bindi18). The Action Plans take into account socio-political conditions of each member state, needs and capacities as well as shared interests with the European Union during their implementation. Priorities in the Action Plans such as the immigration policy between the EU and its neighbors are evaluated for their progress through special bodies established by the Commission. These bodies are established from existing partnerships, cooperation agreements and relevant associations. They ensure effective monitoring of the progress of the agreed priorities on specific Action Plans with the purpose of deciding on their adaptation and renewal. New contracts, links and partnerships can then be formed in order to prevent any dividing lines that could arise from the inclusion of new neighbors.
Political co-operation is established through exploratory talks with interested or candidate countries. Legal proposals and recommendations are put forward by the Commission towards formalizing findings of the Action Plans. The ENP therefore facilitates the process of legalizing recommendations that promote regional cooperation and integration as a result of the enlarged EU’s external borders arising from the inclusion of new neighbors. Cross-border cooperation is thus enhanced. The ENP therefore aims for the highest degree of complementarity and synergy in all areas of their cooperation including the application of prioritized Action Plans on immigration policy which are common to virtually all of the member states (Haddad 30).
The ENP immigration policy in Europe applies to countries such as Russia. Other neighboring countries are also encouraged to partner with each other in the area of immigration in order to achieve the underlying objectives. One of the key areas of interest to the strategic partnership includes the Action Plan on Justice and Home affairs. The Justice and Home affairs aims to foster good cross-border relations between countries towards reducing migration pressure from third countries. This serves to improve the privileged relationship between neighboring countries through border management. The most salient features in the Action Plans on border management are highlighted in order to facilitate legitimate movements.
Common borders between EU and its neighbors are given priority during ENP exploratory talks on border management towards elimination of unnecessary barriers as well as minimizing trafficking and terrorism threats. Such deliberations seek to improve efficiency of border management through training of professional policemen and guards at border points in addition to securing high standard travel documents for migrants (Cederman 27). The underlying goal is to ensure movement of persons between borders is secured from threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking and prostitution.
The Commission is also deliberating on introduction of traffic regimes at border regions between EU member states and its neighbors which is meant to maintain traditional contacts without too much immigration restrictions. Border area populations can therefore interact without excessive surveillance by administrative and security agencies. The proposal is also meant to adopt an external immigration policy permitting visa application. The visa application shall need facilitation from administrations from either side of the traffic regime within the common borders.
Priorities in the immigration Action Plan look into asylum laws, visa facilitation and other strategies to fight cross-border crimes (Cederman 31). The Action Plans identify appropriate measures to strengthen state agencies involved in immigration-related issues such as the judiciary, police and bodies such as EUROPOL and EUROJUST which deal with family law. Dialogue and cooperation has been applied in designing immigration policies on priorities such as education, employment and economic integration. The Commission therefore recommends constructive dialogue which reinforces the outcomes from previous meetings. Different actors in the dialogue are encouraged to streamline their deliberations towards ironing out issues related to labor migration in Europe within the scope of the ENP.
The ENP has facilitated financing of ongoing cooperation Action Plans in the area of migration, visa and border management. This is meant to promote future cooperation between EU and its neighbors towards broader interactions of mutual benefit. The ENP also defines the application of the Global Approach in designing immigration policies for international movements beyond the EU. The Global Approach is a thorough analysis of the legal and illegal border movements and the need for international protection (Triandafyllidou& Spohn 40). It also explores issues such as the global labor supply and demand, labor migration patterns and management of economic migrations within the parameters defined in the ENP and the Action Plans for justice and home affairs.
Findings of such Action Plans recommend appropriate migratory routes, trends in immigration and potential changes in routes that require further investigation. Approximately a third of the EU nationals come from Eastern and South-Eastern neighboring nations as well as the Russian Federation. Enlargement of the EU in the eastern region in 2004 and 2007 has prompted adjusting of the legal basis for cross-border migration between neighboring states. There is also increased migration of people from eastern countries to their prosperous neighbors in search of job opportunities. This is based on the existing economic integration and the objectives of the ENP which aim at promoting economic growth between member states.
The ENP therefore provides the necessary political and economic transition between neighboring countries within the EU framework to mitigate pressures that arise from high unemployment and low income in different economies. There is either brain gain or brain drain between neighboring countries which facilitates economic transitions to take place for the mutual benefit. Migration is therefore a regular topic in political dialogues involving the EU with respect to the ENP and the Global Approach.
Countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern Regions Neighboring the EU
The ENP has provided appropriate tools in developing the Global Approach for partner countries in Africa through migration profiles and cooperation platforms that promote cross-border migrations and development. The application of such tools in developing proper migration policy follows a criterion that recognizes partnerships and associations already existing between these countries. The focus of the Action Plans is on country-by-country priority in evaluating the benefits of their inclusion. As such, the Global Approach to migration-related issues in Eastern and South-Eastern regions explores bilateral and regional treaties that exist and their positive contribution to the EU (Tardy 32). In addition, cooperation platforms on migration facilitate constructive dialogue between stakeholders at national and regional forums.
Deliberations look into issues related to the impact of migration in the broader perspective, that is, how stability and economic growth shall be enhanced in partner and candidate countries regions. Migration of qualified personnel to greener pastures within the EU block and its neighborhood further undermines development and growth in migrant-sending countries. The net balance on mutual benefits between countries bordering one another may shift the equilibrium towards prosperous countries due to persistent migration (Uçarer& Lavenex 21). The ENP policy on migration should therefore be strengthened with provisions for training and capacity building in less prosperous countries in order to improve work opportunities. Skilled workers should also be motivated to work in their home countries in order to prevent brain drain towards increasing their country’s contribution to the EU.
The ENP is also an important tool for designing appropriate legislation meant to reduce costs of remittance transfers which serves to improve development and cooperation across borders. Skilled workers such as scientists and researchers are encouraged to operate within their countries of origin order to stimulate sustainable development. ENP provides for circular migration of nationals in the long-term and the existing seasonal cross-border migrations within the origin in the short-term. Circular migration of workers through visa regimes that are compatible with the scope of ENP improves the economy of the entire region under EU. Development of ENP immigration policies permits for the exchange of ideas between researchers and students through scholarships and fellowships. It also provides relevant training on labor matching through migration portals that facilitate the special programs for migrants.
Other related channels include focal points in the Ministry of Labour which serve to formulate well-balanced labor policies that address workers’ needs and security concerns related to cross-border migrations (Lang& Varwick 33). This helps to guide the process of drafting relevant legislations on asylum and refugee protection as well as visa regimes which promote beneficial migrations. Migration legislation provides appropriate international protection to neighboring countries under the EU framework. ENP monitoring bodies then ensure successful implementation of the migration legislation without prejudice in partner countries. They also ensure that the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking is reinforced through provision of technical assistance to partner countries. Technical assistance involves training of border guards and immigration officials on priority issues related to international migration and emerging challenges. They are equipped with statistical tools for analyzing data relevant to global trends in immigration.
Apart from technical assistance, the ENP promotes regional multidisciplinary law enforcement among partner countries in order to fight organized crime. Efficiency of this initiative is further augmented with Europol and the SECI centre based in Bucharest in combating human trafficking (Thränhardt& Miles 28). Dialogues on ENP Action Plans in migration also seek to address the problem of xenophobia and its consequences to migration and integration within the EU especially in countries such as Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. At regional level, partner countries have been encouraged to treat illegal immigrants according to international standards. These standards include implementation of effective asylum and refugee protection laws which also ensure those victims of human trafficking and other vulnerable individuals are safeguarded from unlawful custody.
There is also the provision for reintegration of returnees into their home countries when their visas expire while restricting previous illegal immigrants from re-entry. Important communication from the ENP meetings emphasizes on the migration and mobility of persons between partner and candidate countries as one of the pillars for delivering an effective foreign policy priority in its Action Plans. The ENP therefore facilitates mobility partnerships through appropriate visa regimes, work permits and seasonal labor migrations as a priority.
Work permits facilitate migration of workers between member states in the EU and its new neighbors without infringing on the traditional legal frameworks in the labor industry. This provision allows for scientific exchange of ideas between countries for their mutual prosperity. It also fixes any shortfalls on experts in particular fields such as in health and education amicably. Lack of enough employment opportunities in one country is therefore solved by a neighboring state with more opportunities. The rationale for regional work permits is to ensure that technical and scientific innovation is effectively transmitted between partner states without excessive bureaucracy.
Visa facilitation also accommodates non-work purposes such as business and tourism as well as for EU representatives from member states attending reform-related meetings. EU-related meetings are held in countries that host EU institutions and those holding the rotating Presidency. EU officials are therefore allowed to travel through visa facilitation that takes account ENP and EU-related business such dialogue on priority issues in the Action Plans. These types of visa applications are provided by EU Member Consulates.
Migrant remittances
Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine are some of remittance-dependent countries (Bindi 25). Migrant remittances are private in nature. However, ENP has effectively provided for opportunities to reduce transaction costs for remittances in order to enhance their economic impact and development in countries of origin. This tool of cost-effective migrant remittances has strengthened socio-development development of partner countries subsequently reducing rampant brain drain in less prosperous states. The cumulative outcome has facilitated the voluntary return of highly skilled professionals from Diasporas to their countries of origin. Experts, scientists and researchers are also facilitated to work with their countries of origin through proper reward systems that motivate their efforts at home without the need for migration. The ENP also provides for readmission agreements from abroad into their home countries especially Eastern and South-Eastern neighbors which provides greater freedom for interaction.
The ENP organized dialogue has prioritized important immigration policy with Russia. After the dissolution of USSR, Russia has become the destination of choice for refugees and economic migrants from neighboring countries apart from holding the largest number of internally displaced persons (Thränhardt& Miles 45). Russia is also being considered to be a major transit country for migrations from China, Afghanistan and South-East Asia to Western Europe. Russia is therefore a strategic country in the EU Action Plans on migration policies. Dialogue with Russia has therefore focused on the entire migration-related issues including asylum, mechanisms to fight illegal migration, human trafficking and labour migration.
The ENP has therefore enhanced exchange of important information between partner countries on migration of persons with the objective of promoting stability, security and development in the EU and its neighbors. This information is useful in designing migration management policies based on assessment of important statistics from migrant-sending countries and destined neighbors. The effectiveness of the ENP guided immigration policy has been noted on in the creation of proper conditions for provision of humanitarian assistance and international protection to migrants and refugees. Migration issues have been discussed successfully with Turkey and Western Balkans under the Accession Partnership and the Stabilization and Association Agreement Action Plans. Progress of these Action Plans is evaluated through EU bodies’ meetings and Ministerial deliberations at national level.
Key partners with the EU in its dialogue on immigration policy include IOM, UNHCR, UNDP, ILO and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (Triandafyllidou& Spohn 52). The partnerships that are built between the EU and these bodies enhance cooperation between partner countries through the Global Approach and the differentiated Action Plans. Border management is properly defined and supported with individual countries in the Partnership for the purpose of eliminating traditional barriers that could hamper the realization of the EU objectives. Capacity building is enhanced for the long-term goal of reducing migration of persons from less prosperous countries to developed neighbors. Security at border points is also strengthened through training of law enforcement agencies involved with border management in order to prevent illegal migrations. State officials working in border regions are also trained on migration and asylum issues in order to provide the best services to migrants in general and refugees in particular.
The rationale for the EU sponsored deliberations on immigration policy has been benchmarked on the objective of achieving sustainable development in partner countries in order to reduce frequent and unbalanced migrations. Capacity building therefore seeks strategies to migration management within the EU and its neighbors. Consultations are made between EU officials and relevant ministries and departments in partner countries towards enacting sustainable immigration policies in the world.
Effectiveness of the European Neighborhood Policy on immigration policy
The main success of the policy and the EU project has been realized through the creation of an expanded area of free movement which actually covers most parts of Europe. The enterprise has resulted in increased political cohesion and civilization among partner countries through cooperation and capacity building (Tardy 55). The EU and its neighborhood has become a common territory that allows European citizens and nationals from third countries to interact more freely. The outcome of this freedom of migration and interaction is the enhanced growth and prosperity in the region and the world at large. Cross-border migration persists due to the existence of differentials of wealth and development in different regions of the world. International migration therefore provides opportunities for human and economic growth through exchange of ideas and expertise.
It has also led to the growth of the European Union economies especially in partner countries that require migrant professionals due to their state of labour markets and demographic aspects. Migrants and their home countries equally receive resources from the EU resulting in their development in accordance with the objectives of the ENP. It is unrealistic to assume that there is zero migration of persons in the world (Uçarer& Lavenex 29). The Global Approach to Migration underscores that EU’s external relations are dependent on the effective management of legal migrations as well as a harmonized control of illegal immigration. The ENP approach therefore ensures that there is synergy between migration and development. A close partnership between partner countries forms the basis for the success of the Global Approach to Migration. Countries of origin, transit and destination have to work together in order to ensure that migration management is achieved with the ENP objectives.
The ENP also safeguards against migrant exploitation and burden of their countries of destination. The European Union should not be perceived to be ultimate destination of global migrations parse. The ENP facilitates proper management of migrations in accordance with the available resources and needs in countries of destination in the European Union. The reception capacity of these countries is determined based on parameters such as labor, housing, education and social amenities with the purpose of curbing migrant disruption of social cohesion in European Union destinations (Lang& Varwick 37). ENP facilitated immigration policy also safeguards against sweeping cross-border migrations. Migration and asylum policies in one partner country could result in illegal movements into another territory infringing on international relations within the EU and its neighbors. Legal migrations are therefore restricted to legitimate routes and limits access to unconfirmed third country states.
Conclusion
The ENP policy has therefore succeeded in abolishing internal border controls among member states. It has also been effective in establishing a common visa policy, asylum standards, legal migration protocols and the Frontex agency. Overall, the creation of the ENP immigration policy has promoted migrant and host country development. The policy further encourages fair treatment of migrants in accordance with international law and human rights. This ensures the harmonious integration of migrants and nationals from third countries into their host destinations.
Works cited
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