Much of the current migration from developing countries to Europe — when not responding to immediate threats such as conflict, political persecution, famine and instability — is just a symptom, among many, of the massive social and economic gap that exists between certain regions of the world.
The European Commission has officially launched negotiations with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) on a new partnership agreement to succeed the Cotonou Agreement. This represents an opportunity to build people-centered cooperation as equal partners but, there is concern about the narrative of Africa being portrayed only as Europe’s trade and economic partner.
On 19 June 2018, the Committees on Budget, Budgetary Control, Foreign Affairs and Development jointly organised a joint hearing for assessing the flow of external EU migration funding. Fanni Bihari, from ACT Alliance EU, represented our Confederation in this public debate aiming at assessing the flow of current expenditure on the migration-related projects and the EU Trusts Funds.
The political directions endorsed by the European Council to continue lowering the number of migrants’ arrivals to Europe are concerning; and may easily be proven to be ineffective and a breach to founding European values.
Today, the European Commission released the legal framework for the external funding instruments of the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021-2027. CONCORD raises concerns that unproven investment schemes and migration control will overshadow the EU’s commitments to promote human rights, sustainable development and the fight against poverty.