Security, immigration and development assistance: an integrated approach

The European Union’s security and immigration policy requires a set of actions coordinated between the Union and individual Member States, plus a consistent policy of development cooperation within the frame work of European Neightbourhood Policy (ENP). This article takes a look at the European approach in these policy areas. After considering the economic and social causes of international migration, it dwells on the prospective “migratory pressure” on Europe, which is expected to be strong, especially from the southern shores of the Mediterranean. The authors stress the essential role of European Neightbourhood Policy, which must promote development and democracy in the countries bordering on the Union. It is necessary to create an area of stability and security within which to achieve negotiated regulation of migratory flows. It is argued that the financial resources for ENP are inadequate and that a decisive role will be played by bilateral aid to the bordering countries from EU member States. Nevertheless, the author observe that these resources are subject to the budgetary constraints of the Stability and Growth Pact and accordingly recommend that the development assistance should also be treated as investment in stability and security, the benefits of which will be reflected in diminished future costs for individual European countries. The authors therefore call for the application of the “golden rule” to this expenditure, treating it on a par with investment and R&D spending for purpose of calculating government deficits.