EU plan to check migrants needs inclusive approach

An ambitious European Union (EU) plan to curb migration from countries ranging from Lebanon to Nigeria could reduce pressure in Europe but would not fully eradicate the problem as some partners would need more engagement to resolve the growing phenomenon.
The European Commission (EC) proposed to deploy 8 billion euros ($9.1 billion) over the next five years to tackle flows of refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Through partnerships, the EC plans to return more refugee arrivals to their countries of origin or transit, address the root causes of forced displacement and limit migrant deaths in the Mediterranean Sea when
smugglers’ boats capsize.
Encouraged by the success of the EU- Turkey deal struck on March 18, the commission looks forward to forging more deals with the refugee source countries to stem the streaming of migrants into Europe.
“Millions of people are on the move worldwide and we can only manage this if we act globally, in full partnership,” EU foreign-policy chief Federica Mogherini said in a statement after the commission approved the strategy on Tuesday in Strasbourg, France.
For this strategy to succeed, the EC pledged to continue saving lives at sea, dismantling smugglers’ networks, and to support the countries that host so many people and foster growth in partner countries, the source of migrants.
To boost its engagement strategy, the EC targets Jordan and Lebanon followed by Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia. The commission also intends to increase EU engagement with Tunisia and Libya. The EU plans to spur trade and aid with these countries to encourage them to cooperate fully.
The EU partnership with these countries is necessary to check migrant overload, but it may not achieve quick results due to governance and geopolitics issues. Many of these countries cannot be compared to Turkey in terms of control and stability.
The EU says it will use its trade, aid and visa policies to reward countries that cooperate, and that “there must be consequences for those who do not cooperate on readmission and return”.
For this plan to succeed, the EU has to engage these governments to be a party in implementation of development projects that employ the youth and keep evaluating the successes in this respect.
This plan should be espoused with the EU’s resolve to extinguish fires in the conflict zones as many of the refugees flee because of unrest. Ensuring peace will be a key to stability. Five years ago, the Syrian refugees were not fleeing the country.
No doubt, migration is a hot issue in the EU member states. In Britain, calls for migration curbs are a central plank in the campaign being waged by
the UK Independence Party and others, urging Britons to vote to leave the
28-nation EU in a June 23 referendum. Migration could cause Brexit.
Dangling development aid in return for stopping migration opens the EU up to blackmail. Brussels should ascertain its aid packages go to rightful
governments that are ready to cooperate fully or those capable to engage
potential youth that seek to migrate.