Migration could be 'dissolving force' for European Union, says bloc's foreign policy chief

Unmitigated migration is taking a huge toll on the European Union. While there have been countries that resisted accepting the influx of migrants, now even the once-initially open to the idea are finding it hard to accommodate more. And the tension the question has led to can make it a “dissolving force” for the bloc, believes EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Borrell expressed concerns about the impact of immigration on the EU, warning that it could become a “dissolving force” for the international alliance. Borrell highlighted the rise of nationalist sentiments in Europe and the lack of agreement on a common migration policy within the EU.

Borrell stated, “Migration is a bigger divide for the European Union. And it could be a dissolving force for the European Union.” He pointed out that some member states have been reluctant to accept people from outside the EU, describing them as “Japanese-style” states that prefer not to mix and want to maintain their purity.

However, Borrell emphasized the paradoxical situation facing Europe due to its current “low demographic growth.” He noted that some states require an influx of immigration to address labour shortages, saying, “If we want to survive from a labour point of view, we need migrants.”

These remarks from Borrell come shortly after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed concerns about Germany’s capacity to accept more migrants and refugees. Steinmeier cited strong immigration from eastern borders, Syria, Afghanistan, and the arrival of over a million refugees from Ukraine in the past year. He called for a “permanent solidarity mechanism” to ensure a fair distribution of migrants across Europe.

Meanwhile, Italy has also been reevaluating its border policies in response to a spike in migration. The country initially suspended migrant transfers in December, citing technical issues related to intake capacity. This suspension has continued into 2023.

While Borrell cautioned that dissent over immigration could potentially threaten the unity of the EU, he believed that the bloc would remain intact for now. He suggested that Britain’s decision to leave the EU had served as a “vaccine” for other members, making them reluctant to follow suit.

The issue of migration has been a contentious one within the EU since 2015 when the bloc faced an influx of refugees and economic migrants due to poverty and conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Some member states, including Hungary and Poland, strongly opposed EU attempts to enforce migrant quotas. Italy has also closed its ports to ships carrying migrants from North Africa, demanding that other member states share the burden of accepting them. Tighter border controls were a key aspect of the ‘Leave’ campaign during the UK’s 2016 Brexit referendum.