International Migration and Asylum in the European Union: Recent Developments and Policy Reactions (original) (raw)

Europe, following North America, is one of the most attractive migration and asylum destinations in the world. According to studies, international migration benefits the EU because today the EU confronts dual demographic challenges: aging of population and population decline. Though some believe that Europe needs immigrates for its economy, others claim that immigrants are harming the European Union by making European Societies less cohesive. Also, there is significant public anxiety about internal and external migration in Europe making this situation susceptible to exploitation by politicians and extreme parties. Respect for human rights is a core principle for the EU, hence, the EU is obliged to help asylum-seekers and react to refugees within the EU borders humanely and with human dignity. The European Union authorities are aware that immigrants are needed for the EU’s future but member states have different sensitivities, priorities, and concerns regarding the migration and asylum policies. This paper aims to analyze the recent developments, challenges, policy reactions, whether the EU needs a new common migration and asylum policy.