The problem of immigration in the EU

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to the problem of migration as an inevitable and controversial process. The research conducted in this paper is based on following the evolution of the EU documents and analyzing migration statistics and findings provided by experts in this area. The main finding of this study lies in the fact that there is a permanent contradiction within the European Union between the need for common actions and the national interests of its members. The current contradiction between the need to jointly regulate the influx of immigrants in a single EU internal market, on the one hand, and the legitimate desire of member states to establish quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the population on its territory, on the other, will determine the content and limits of further political and legislative initiatives in this direction.

Key words: migration, immigration policy, European Union, Stockholm programme, Lisbon Treaty, communitarisation, supranational level, member states' interests.

Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………...……4

1. Immigration practice in the EU ………………………………………………...6

1.1. Migration processes regulation in the EU…………………………6

1.2. The analysis of migration processes in the EU………..…………7

2. Prospects of the EU immigration policy………………………………………9

2.1. Action plans in the sphere of legal migration in the EU………9

2.2. The Stockholm programme on justice, liberty and security

for 2010-2014……………………………………………………………….…………..10

Conclusion…………………………………..……………………………………………………….12

References………………………………………………………..………………………………….14

Introduction

The subject of the paper is migration, an inevitable process in the economy of any country. Within this subject we outline the topic that is reflected in the very title of the work – the main problems, contradictions and tendencies within the migration policy of the EU. This means that the research will focus on the process of migration in the EU, its economic, social and political aspects. The thesis of the work lies in the fact that although there is already a well-developed framework of the EU immigration policy communitarisation, the obstacle to tangible results is considerable differences among EU member states, so more coordination is required.

The significance of the work lies in the fact that within the process of globalization, which is constantly intensifying and becoming more significant nowadays, human resources flows are sometimes uncontrollable, and it is necessary to study possible measures of improving migration policy.

As for the practical applicability of this paper, not only people specializing in the sphere of economics, but also non-specialists can benefit from the findings outlined in my work.

The purpose of the work is to analyze the current trends in international migration in European countries, as well as to identify the main challenges facing the EU in this matter. The specific objectives within the main purpose are the following: 1) to observe migration processes regulation in the EU; 2) to analyze the processes of migration in the region; 3) to study action plans in the sphere of legal migration in the EU; 4) to analyze the prospects of EU immigration policy, taking into account the "Stockholm programme on justice, liberty and security for 2010-2014".

This research was primarily based upon several literature sources. These are: scientific works in periodicals, European Union official documents and news announcements made by reliable media outlets.

The main finding of the research lies in the fact that it is difficult for the European Union to find the balance between the requirements for common actions within the integrated region and national interests of its members.

1. Immigration practice in the EU

1.1. Migration processes regulation in the EU

Potemkina (2010) argues that since the launch of the Maastricht Treaty, one of the major founding treaties of the European Union, the EU member countries have to pay more attention to cooperation in the field of migration policy at the supranational level, rather than the interaction on the intergovernmental level. The establishment of the EU immigration policy has always been in accordance with the principles of "common internal market", which provided freedom for the movement of human resources within the EU. However, the European Commission's intentions immediately came into conflict with the desire of member states to control the quantity, origin and composition of migratory flows; their reluctance to suffer additional losses in case of a sudden influx of illegal immigrants and refugees.

The entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty in 1999 contributed to the fact that the main feature of the EU immigration policy has become the interaction between the two levels of decision-making: supranational and intergovernmental. Immigration policy is now the key element of the general EU policy as an area of freedom, security and justice, which represents an efficient use of all opportunities offered by the Amsterdam Treaty.

To sum up, the co-existence of supranational and intergovernmental levels of decision-making encourages the European Union to develop a strategy of collaboration in terms of the EU immigration policy.

1.2. The analysis of migration processes in the EU

Zimmermann's (2010) theoretical research on demographics showed that migration, in general, had a positive impact on economic conditions, not only by improving the efficiency of labor markets, but also through the active sharing of competencies, skills, experience and knowledge, thus greatly facilitating

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