CONTROL ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH: EESC CALLS FOR A MORE BALANCED MIGRATION STRATEGY

Europe’s migration policy must be built on fundamental rights, integration and safe legal pathways, rather than focusing predominantly on border controls and returns, says the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in an opinion adopted at its July plenary session. 

The opinion on the European Migration and Asylum Strategy welcomes the European Commission’s attempt to establish a common framework for EU action over the next five years. However, it considers that the European Migration and Asylum Strategy places too much emphasis on containment, border management and returns, while giving insufficient attention to integration, inclusion, legal migration and the protection of fundamental rights. 

‘We are concerned about whether the implementation of the strategy will fully comply with the EU’s core values, in particular respect for human rights, human dignity, solidarity and the rule of law. The credibility and legitimacy of the EU migration policy will depend on the extent to which these principles are effectively upheld in practice,’ rapporteur José Antonio Moreno Díaz stated.

The Committee acknowledges positive elements in the strategy, including references to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, support for temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians and recognition of the importance of integration. Nevertheless, it warns that returns should remain a measure of last resort within a broader, effective and humane migration policy, with greater emphasis placed on voluntary returns accompanied by meaningful reintegration support. 

The EESC also calls for safe and accessible legal pathways that reflect the full spectrum of migration, including movement for work at all skill levels, family reunification and humanitarian protection. It warns that focusing primarily on highly skilled workers could increase irregular migration and create further opportunities for exploitation and trafficking. Legal pathways should therefore be accompanied by safeguards against labour exploitation, social dumping and undeclared work. 

The EESC raises concerns about the use of ‘safe country’ concepts, return hubs outside the EU and the growing reliance on digital technologies and artificial intelligence in migration management. It warns that technological efficiency must never replace individual assessment, effective judicial protection or respect for fundamental rights, and calls for independent monitoring to ensure full compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. 

The Committee argues that integration remains the missing element of the strategy. It calls for equal access to employment, education, healthcare and social services, supported by language learning and recognition of qualifications, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups. The EESC also stresses that cooperation with third countries should combine development support, legal migration opportunities and strong human rights safeguards, noting that the success of EU migration policy will ultimately depend on its ability to uphold Europe’s core values.(lm)