Europe at odds over refugees
Vast numbers of people leave their home countries for Europe in search of a better life each year. However the EU states are at odds about how to deal with the refugees and are trying to shift the burden of responsibility on to each other's shoulders, writes the press.
Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Friday, 13. May 2011
On Denmark's initiative 15 of 27 EU interior ministers approved a revision of the Schengen Agreement on Thursday in Brussels. The conservative daily Jyllands-Posten finds the criticism of the reintroduction of border controls somewhat hysterical: » more
On Denmark's initiative 15 of 27 EU interior ministers approved a revision of the Schengen Agreement on Thursday in Brussels. The conservative daily Jyllands-Posten finds the criticism of the reintroduction of border controls somewhat hysterical: "Some experts and politicians are solemnly stating that this is a blow to the freedom of movement within the EU. But the freedom of movement they are speaking of - trade, labour, capital, travel - will only be minimally affected. In reality the hysteria over the border controls is not driven by practical motives. The attack on permanent border controls is an attack on the nation state. Feelings of national cohesion are supposed to be somehow suspect. But Europe has no society that can replace national societies. ... The Danes feel they have no control whatsoever over how for example the Greeks protect their section of the EU's outer perimeter. For that reason they feel more secure when the EU also offers them the possibility of controls at Denmark's borders."
» full article (external link, Danish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Germany, » Denmark, » Europe
All available articles from » Ralf Pittelkow
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 12. May 2011
Denmark plans to reintroduce controls on its borders with Germany and Sweden despite the Schengen Agreement. There are plenty of supporters of the European idea living in Denmark, notes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, but they're just too cowardly: » more
Denmark plans to reintroduce controls on its borders with Germany and Sweden despite the Schengen Agreement. There are plenty of supporters of the European idea living in Denmark, notes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, but they're just too cowardly: "The People's Party has shown how easily European values like freedom of movement can be abused for the sake of squabbles in internal politics. The liberal-conservative government was only too willing to concede the populists' PR success at Europe's expense - in a bid to make them amenable to the pension reform. Not even the opposition opposed the controls - probably because it didn't want to trigger an inconvenient debate. Yet most of Denmark's parties are pro-European and it would never have occurred to them to challenge freedom of movement. But they're not willing to defend these achievements either. The EU's problem is not opponents like the People's Party but the fact that its friends are so spineless."
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Denmark, » Europe
All available articles from » Gunnar Herrmann
Libération - France | Thursday, 12. May 2011
France is already carrying out controls on its border with Italy to prevent large numbers of North African refugees from crossing into the country. Such controls must remain an exception in the Schengen Area, writes EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding in the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
France is already carrying out controls on its border with Italy to prevent large numbers of North African refugees from crossing into the country. Such controls must remain an exception in the Schengen Area, writes EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding in the left-liberal daily Libération: "We must prevent governments from attempting to set up the conditions for reinstating border controls. Such a move would affect all of us and so must be approved by the institutions of the European Union. What is at stake here is the respect for the regulations of the European Union and the preservation of the rights that we have struggled hard to attain. To this effect the European Commission recently proposed that the entire rules of the Schengen Agreement be strengthened and that the biggest achievement of the EU be protected, namely the freedom of movement. After two devastating world wars, it took decades to abolish borders and create a climate of trust. Today the freedom of movement within Europe shortens distances and serves to unite us. We must assert and protect this right."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » EU neighbourhood policy, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Viviane Reding
Postimees - Estonia | Thursday, 12. May 2011
The daily Postimees criticises the new border controls in Europe and the trend to provincialism: » more
The daily Postimees criticises the new border controls in Europe and the trend to provincialism: "That an increasing number of Europeans are sealing themselves off is more than just a simple reaction to culturally rooted conflicts or growing xenophobia. Schengen's opponents don't give a hoot about cultural or political peculiarities, they just want to make our expanding world smaller, more sealed off and supposedly safer. ... In Finland the True Finns are considered radical innovators in the sense that they are using their new-found strength to toss a wrench in the works of the politics of consensus. But in fact their policies have nothing new or radical about them; on the contrary: they're imbued with a longing for the past and old-fashioned parochialism, which is supposed to protect Finland not only from Europe and the globalised economy, but also from decadent art, Babylonian Babylonian confusion of languages and complex words."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Finland, » Europe
All available articles from » Iivi Masso
Sme - Slovakia | Thursday, 12. May 2011
Calls from Italy and France, among other countries, for a limitation of freedom of movement because of the refugees from North Africa are out of place, writes the liberal daily Sme: » more
Calls from Italy and France, among other countries, for a limitation of freedom of movement because of the refugees from North Africa are out of place, writes the liberal daily Sme: "If a situation were one day to arise in which Italy and France were faced with a true wave of refugees, the other Europeans would have to help. But this situation has not arisen. True, more refugees are coming to Italy than previously, but their numbers are limited to a couple of tens of thousands. The fact that Italy can't get things under control has nothing to do with an approaching Apocalypse, but with yet another failure on the part of this government, its politicians and authorities. ... The solution most certainly does not lie in questioning the freedom of movement in the Union, one of the basic advantages of European integration. ... That doesn't mean the Union shouldn't help individual countries like Italy or Malta. But at the same time it should do something for these refugees' countries of origin, so that they stay at home."
» more information (external link, Slovak)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Migration, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Peter Morvay
Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Friday, 13. May 2011
On Denmark's initiative 15 of 27 EU interior ministers approved a revision of the Schengen Agreement on Thursday in Brussels. The conservative daily Jyllands-Posten finds the criticism of the reintroduction of border controls somewhat hysterical: » more
On Denmark's initiative 15 of 27 EU interior ministers approved a revision of the Schengen Agreement on Thursday in Brussels. The conservative daily Jyllands-Posten finds the criticism of the reintroduction of border controls somewhat hysterical: "Some experts and politicians are solemnly stating that this is a blow to the freedom of movement within the EU. But the freedom of movement they are speaking of - trade, labour, capital, travel - will only be minimally affected. In reality the hysteria over the border controls is not driven by practical motives. The attack on permanent border controls is an attack on the nation state. Feelings of national cohesion are supposed to be somehow suspect. But Europe has no society that can replace national societies. ... The Danes feel they have no control whatsoever over how for example the Greeks protect their section of the EU's outer perimeter. For that reason they feel more secure when the EU also offers them the possibility of controls at Denmark's borders."
» full article (external link, Danish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Germany, » Denmark, » Europe
All available articles from » Ralf Pittelkow
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Thursday, 12. May 2011
Denmark plans to reintroduce controls on its borders with Germany and Sweden despite the Schengen Agreement. There are plenty of supporters of the European idea living in Denmark, notes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, but they're just too cowardly: » more
Denmark plans to reintroduce controls on its borders with Germany and Sweden despite the Schengen Agreement. There are plenty of supporters of the European idea living in Denmark, notes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung, but they're just too cowardly: "The People's Party has shown how easily European values like freedom of movement can be abused for the sake of squabbles in internal politics. The liberal-conservative government was only too willing to concede the populists' PR success at Europe's expense - in a bid to make them amenable to the pension reform. Not even the opposition opposed the controls - probably because it didn't want to trigger an inconvenient debate. Yet most of Denmark's parties are pro-European and it would never have occurred to them to challenge freedom of movement. But they're not willing to defend these achievements either. The EU's problem is not opponents like the People's Party but the fact that its friends are so spineless."
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Denmark, » Europe
All available articles from » Gunnar Herrmann
Sme - Slovakia | Thursday, 12. May 2011
Calls from Italy and France, among other countries, for a limitation of freedom of movement because of the refugees from North Africa are out of place, writes the liberal daily Sme: » more
Calls from Italy and France, among other countries, for a limitation of freedom of movement because of the refugees from North Africa are out of place, writes the liberal daily Sme: "If a situation were one day to arise in which Italy and France were faced with a true wave of refugees, the other Europeans would have to help. But this situation has not arisen. True, more refugees are coming to Italy than previously, but their numbers are limited to a couple of tens of thousands. The fact that Italy can't get things under control has nothing to do with an approaching Apocalypse, but with yet another failure on the part of this government, its politicians and authorities. ... The solution most certainly does not lie in questioning the freedom of movement in the Union, one of the basic advantages of European integration. ... That doesn't mean the Union shouldn't help individual countries like Italy or Malta. But at the same time it should do something for these refugees' countries of origin, so that they stay at home."
» more information (external link, Slovak)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Migration, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Peter Morvay
Libération - France | Thursday, 12. May 2011
France is already carrying out controls on its border with Italy to prevent large numbers of North African refugees from crossing into the country. Such controls must remain an exception in the Schengen Area, writes EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding in the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
France is already carrying out controls on its border with Italy to prevent large numbers of North African refugees from crossing into the country. Such controls must remain an exception in the Schengen Area, writes EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding in the left-liberal daily Libération: "We must prevent governments from attempting to set up the conditions for reinstating border controls. Such a move would affect all of us and so must be approved by the institutions of the European Union. What is at stake here is the respect for the regulations of the European Union and the preservation of the rights that we have struggled hard to attain. To this effect the European Commission recently proposed that the entire rules of the Schengen Agreement be strengthened and that the biggest achievement of the EU be protected, namely the freedom of movement. After two devastating world wars, it took decades to abolish borders and create a climate of trust. Today the freedom of movement within Europe shortens distances and serves to unite us. We must assert and protect this right."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » EU neighbourhood policy, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Viviane Reding
Postimees - Estonia | Thursday, 12. May 2011
The daily Postimees criticises the new border controls in Europe and the trend to provincialism: » more
The daily Postimees criticises the new border controls in Europe and the trend to provincialism: "That an increasing number of Europeans are sealing themselves off is more than just a simple reaction to culturally rooted conflicts or growing xenophobia. Schengen's opponents don't give a hoot about cultural or political peculiarities, they just want to make our expanding world smaller, more sealed off and supposedly safer. ... In Finland the True Finns are considered radical innovators in the sense that they are using their new-found strength to toss a wrench in the works of the politics of consensus. But in fact their policies have nothing new or radical about them; on the contrary: they're imbued with a longing for the past and old-fashioned parochialism, which is supposed to protect Finland not only from Europe and the globalised economy, but also from decadent art, Babylonian Babylonian confusion of languages and complex words."
» full article (external link, Estonian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Domestic Policy, » Finland, » Europe
All available articles from » Iivi Masso
Correio da Manhã - Portugal | Sunday, 8. May 2011
For a long time the EU was considered a model of solidarity among states, writes Alberto Loureiro dos Santos in the tabloid Correio da Manhã, but he sees that cohesion under threat in the present circumstances: » more
For a long time the EU was considered a model of solidarity among states, writes Alberto Loureiro dos Santos in the tabloid Correio da Manhã, but he sees that cohesion under threat in the present circumstances: "So far the European states have always pursued a policy of common interest, as with any alliance of states. This is evident in the help that Germany and other countries have given their partners in the crisis. But there are also signs of a different attitude. The continuation of the Schengen zone is under threat, as the reaction of France to the refugees who have swamped Italy shows. And the member states have been unable to reach agreement on a key issue, security. So they don't know how to continue the war in Libya. So if we take a look at the reality we see that solidarity was just a myth. Everyone is out for himself. And the powerful call the shots at the expense of the weak."
» full article (external link, Portuguese)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Europe
All available articles from » José Alberto Loureiro dos Santos
Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Thursday, 5. May 2011
The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström on Wednesday presented her proposals for immigration in the EU, to be discussed by EU interior and justice ministers next Thursday. The liberal daily Dagens Nyheter has nothing but praise for her ideas: » more
The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström on Wednesday presented her proposals for immigration in the EU, to be discussed by EU interior and justice ministers next Thursday. The liberal daily Dagens Nyheter has nothing but praise for her ideas: "The xenophobic forces in Europe are over-dramatising the wave of immigration [from North Africa] in a bid to have the borders closed. ... Cecilia Malmström calls for a calm approach and points to the EU's duty to take in people who need protection from persecution. ... She also points out that the EU needs workers, and should therefore keep its borders open for a certain amount of immigration from North Africa. At the same time she proposes tightening controls on the EU's external borders to curb human trafficking and illegal immigration. ... Those who favour a generous European asylum policy must at the same time defend a lawful and humane approach to border control."
» full article (external link, Swedish)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » Migration, » Europe
The Irish Times - Ireland | Wednesday, 4. May 2011
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström will present her plans for EU refugee policy today. In the dispute over how to deal with Tunisian refugees French President Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi had demanded border controls within the Schengen Area. The liberal conservative daily The Irish Times calls on politicians to respect the Schengen Agreement: » more
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström will present her plans for EU refugee policy today. In the dispute over how to deal with Tunisian refugees French President Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi had demanded border controls within the Schengen Area. The liberal conservative daily The Irish Times calls on politicians to respect the Schengen Agreement: "Mass migrations can be headed off by a generous and imaginative political, economic and humanitarian response by the EU to its southern neighbours. Europeans need to realise that a fortress approach will do more harm than good. Demographic trends in the EU mean more migration will be required to replenish labour supply, and political leaders have a responsibility to explain this. That includes the European Commission, which oversees Schengen ... Its initial response to the Franco-Italian proposal raised the possibility of reinstating some border controls. That would be a slippery slope, opening up the dangerous prospect of a politically driven competition for tighter restrictions, which could undermine the whole project."
» full article (external link, English)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Europe
La Repubblica - Italy | Sunday, 1. May 2011
The European Court of Justice has deprived Italy of the right to detain illegal immigrants if they resist deportation. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica welcomes the ruling and sees the new self-assurance of the refugees as a chance for Europe to make progress: » more
The European Court of Justice has deprived Italy of the right to detain illegal immigrants if they resist deportation. The left-liberal daily La Repubblica welcomes the ruling and sees the new self-assurance of the refugees as a chance for Europe to make progress: "Among the stateless people a new political identity seems to have taken shape which has emerged from the gaps in the laws, the repression in their countries of origin and their illegality in the country of immigration. ... It is a stateless citizenship that is no longer based on institutional membership but on self-determination and the right to freedom. ... This poses a significant challenge to the progressive and democratic forces of Europe, for without doubt the justified calls for controlling the stream of immigrants must be brought into harmony with a project that confers on migrants the dignity of citizenship and gives them the right to protest and negotiate without being represented by a state. ... This is the basic prerequisite for the implementation of the idea of European political unity."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Integration, » Demographics, » Europe
All available articles from » Nadia Urbinati
La Razón - Spain | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
The EU refugee crisis presents an opportunity to finally resolve a conflict that has been simmering for years, writes the daily La Razón on France and Italy's plans to reform the Schengen agreement: » more
The EU refugee crisis presents an opportunity to finally resolve a conflict that has been simmering for years, writes the daily La Razón on France and Italy's plans to reform the Schengen agreement: "The crisis offers the opportunity to launch a debate which for too long has been postponed because of the complexity and diverging interests within the EU. Up to now the countries without external borders have shown too little solidarity, and the will to develop efficient instruments has been lacking. The goal must be to finally find a common answer to immigration - not a solution dictated by France or Italy. ... A false sense of national egoism weakens all. So we must find a solution for saving the free circulation of persons while at the same time taking steps to find answers to the challenge of immigration. Such steps could include distributing the burden among the different states as well as increasing funding for Frontex and formulating a common asylum policy."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » France, » Italy, » Europe
Der Standard - Austria | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
Italy and France's demands that the Schengen Agreement be amended pose a threat to the EU in the eyes of the left-liberal daily Der Standard: » more
Italy and France's demands that the Schengen Agreement be amended pose a threat to the EU in the eyes of the left-liberal daily Der Standard: "Now Paris and Rome are directly calling into question the freedom afforded by Schengen. The flood of immigrants from North Africa is the current excuse, but in reality the agreement has long since been a thorn in the side of conservative governments. It's clear that after the euro's problems a second, highly symbolic EU cornerstone is now beginning to crumble: the passport-free travel of 400 million Europeans. This doesn't have to be the end of the European Union, but after its rapid expansion over recent decades the new border debate highlights how even the EU has reached its limits. And neither Sarkozy nor Berlusconi nor other EU leaders seem too bothered - despite all the professions of commitment to Europe."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Stefan Brändle
Ouest-France - France | Wednesday, 27. April 2011
The plans of Italy and France to reform the Schengen Agreement threaten European integration, writes the daily Ouest France: » more
The plans of Italy and France to reform the Schengen Agreement threaten European integration, writes the daily Ouest France: "This episode is indicative of the cooperation between Europe's various foreign policies, of which there are as many as there are member states. Under the extreme pressure fed by the fears of its constituents, each government is reacting in line with its historic, geographic and economic proximity to the refugees' countries of origin, as well as to the domestic political challenges facing it. ... For roughly eighteen months these contradictions have paralysed the actions of Catherine Ashton, the head of a non-existent European diplomacy. The lack of a common, dynamic perspective leads everyone to fight for themselves and supports the vision of Fortress Europe."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Michel Urvoy
Libération - France | Tuesday, 26. April 2011
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicholas Sarkozy meet today in Rome to discuss a reform of the Schengen Agreement in view of the flood of refugees from North Africa. But reintroducing border controls would only play into the hands of anti-European forces, warns the left-liberal daily Libération: » more
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicholas Sarkozy meet today in Rome to discuss a reform of the Schengen Agreement in view of the flood of refugees from North Africa. But reintroducing border controls would only play into the hands of anti-European forces, warns the left-liberal daily Libération: "The Schengen Area represents an historic and democratic step forward, one which nationalist and opportunist politicians of all stripes have a hard time stomaching. They dream of reintroducing the outdated attributes of national sovereignty on the first possible occasion. So let's not fool ourselves: 'reviewing' the protective clauses of the agreement in fact means attacking all that remains of Europe's dynamism. That would be to flatter xenophobic and Europhobic factions among national electorates by pointing to ... Brussels' negligence."
» full article (external link, French)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » France, » Italy, » Europe
All available articles from » Nicolas Demorand
taz - Germany | Wednesday, 20. April 2011
The European vision of the creation of a common will for the common good has proved a failure, writes Dominic Johnson in the left-leaning daily die tageszeitung, the most recent proof of this being the success of the right-wing populist True Finns in their opposition to the EU bailout package: » more
The European vision of the creation of a common will for the common good has proved a failure, writes Dominic Johnson in the left-leaning daily die tageszeitung, the most recent proof of this being the success of the right-wing populist True Finns in their opposition to the EU bailout package: "This form of populism is basically a healthy democratic reaction. Nevertheless it remains just that: a reaction. Whether it be Italy sending Tunisian refugees on to other countries, France deporting Bulgarian Roma, Germany deviating from European foreign policy in the UN Security Council or the UK blocking financial market regulation - none of these can be seen as formative moments in a common political project. Rather, these countries are cutting themselves off with an eye to upcoming elections. That this fundamentally democratic reflex is being viewed as populist, and so in some way objectionable, and that consequently the least scrupulous pied pipers are the first to discover and use it is a further indication of Europe's existential crisis. ... There seems to be little chance left of Europe forming a common will in a normal, no-hype, democratic way."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Finland, » Europe
All available articles from » Dominic Johnson
De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Tuesday, 19. April 2011
The Schengen agreement has come under pressure after Italy handed out temporary visas to Tunisian refugees. France has already sent back a train carrying Tunisians and other European countries have announced tough action too. But the exodus of Tunisians is not a problem Italy should be left to deal with on its own, the daily De Volkskrant warns: » more
The Schengen agreement has come under pressure after Italy handed out temporary visas to Tunisian refugees. France has already sent back a train carrying Tunisians and other European countries have announced tough action too. But the exodus of Tunisians is not a problem Italy should be left to deal with on its own, the daily De Volkskrant warns: "The Italians failed to consult their Schengen partners before handing out large numbers of temporary visas to refugees. Certainly they can be criticised for this, but the measure was not entirely without justification because their partners have been too quick to declare the influx of many thousands of Tunisians ... a purely 'Italian problem'. Things cannot stay this way. This is an Italian and European problem. The unpleasant affair shows once more how important change and the prospect of a better life is for North Africa. For effective control of Europe's borders simply won't be enough to stop the wave of immigration."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » Italy, » Europe, » North Africa
All available articles from » Paul Brill
El País - Spain | Monday, 18. April 2011
French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: » more
French authorities temporarily blocked trains from Italy on Sunday in a bid to prevent Tunisian immigrants who have been granted temporary Shengen visas by Italy from entering the country. French President Sarkozy is on a cheap quest for votes which casts doubt on the very foundations of the EU, the left-liberal daily El País warns: "It is not difficult to link this measure that conflicts with the Schengen agreement on free circulation within the EU with President Nicolas Sarkozy's rapidly sinking popularity and the intense preparations for the presidential elections in 2012. ... The European Union is evidently not at its best right now, as its inane and largely rhetorical reaction to the democratic changes in the Arab world indicate. All this is causing the different states to act bilaterally and counter to the European construct, as in the case of the military intervention of France and the UK in Libya. If Schengen falls now we must start to ask why the union of 27 states exists at all."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Migration, » EU neighbourhood policy, » France, » Italy, » Tunisia
Delo - Slovenia | Tuesday, 12. April 2011
At their summit meeting on Monday the EU interior ministers refused to provide direct help for accommodating the many refugees from North Africa. Rome's plan to grant tourist visas to illegal immigrants met with heavy criticism. The daily Delo counters that there's no need for panic: » more
At their summit meeting on Monday the EU interior ministers refused to provide direct help for accommodating the many refugees from North Africa. Rome's plan to grant tourist visas to illegal immigrants met with heavy criticism. The daily Delo counters that there's no need for panic: "Because only those refugees with passports and proof that they are financially independent will receive a visa. The EU European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström has made this perfectly clear. For that reason the feared mass exodus that has aroused animosity in France, Germany and Austria is unlikely. At the same time it must not be forgotten that after its independence Slovenia was hit by two major waves of refugees. At the start of the 1990s around 70,000 refugees from the Balkan War fled here. Ten years later the [Second] Gulf War drove roughly 40,000 refugees to Slovenia, which is 30 times smaller than Italy."
» full article (external link, Slovenian)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Italy, » Europe, » Tunisia
All available articles from » Bozo Masanovic
Salzburger Nachrichten - Austria | Monday, 11. April 2011
The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: » more
The German state of Bavaria wants to prevent refugees from Tunisia from entering the country via the German-Austrian border, if necessary by ramping up control measures. The Christian-liberal daily Salzburger Nachrichten criticises the lacking solidarity among the EU member states when it comes to refugees: "As soon as refuges start spilling across Europe's borders in large numbers the EU countries stop being nice to each other. ... The dreadful situation shows that Europe has gone astray when it comes to refugee and immigration policy. The responsibility for asylum-seekers and refugees lies solely with those who patrol Europe's borders. And if the Italians, Greeks or Spanish are unable to cope with the situation, instead of stepping in to help the other countries start cutting themselves off as Bavaria and other central Europeans are doing now. The pressure from the refugees won't lessen. Here too, Europe will have to find a united approach to the problem instead of trying to pass it on to others."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Society, » Europe, » North Africa
All available articles from » Viktor Hermann
El País - Spain | Monday, 11. April 2011
In view of the wave of immigrants from North Africa the interior ministers of the 27 EU states are meeting today to discuss a joint approach. The refugees must be justly distributed among the member states, writes the left-liberal daily El País: » more
In view of the wave of immigrants from North Africa the interior ministers of the 27 EU states are meeting today to discuss a joint approach. The refugees must be justly distributed among the member states, writes the left-liberal daily El País: "The politicians of the major European powers - including Spain - have been making great declarations of support with the democratic revolutions in the Arab world. One form of lending this support would be to take in these refuges and distribute them equally among the different member states while at the same time cooperating with the countries affected with the aim of stabilising the situation so that they can return to their countries of origin as soon as possible. In this manner tragedies like the sinking of a boat off the coast of Lampedusa last Wednesday in which more than 200 people lost their lives can perhaps be prevented. The EU cannot close its eyes to this problem."
» full article (external link, Spanish)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Social movements, » Europe, » North Africa
Público - Portugal | Sunday, 10. April 2011
Italy plans to issue temporary visas to thousands of Tunisians, enabling them to travel to all the countries of the Schengen area. But this approach won't solve the refugee problem, writes the daily Público: » more
Italy plans to issue temporary visas to thousands of Tunisians, enabling them to travel to all the countries of the Schengen area. But this approach won't solve the refugee problem, writes the daily Público: "This is the hour of the populists: Berlusconi ... is enjoying the praise of the people for 'freeing the island'. ... But he will neither be able to stem the influx of refugees nor 'free' the island. ... The problem can only be solved on the other side of the Mediterranean if the countries of origin can offer decent living standards. But that won't happen in a couple of days. Europe has no solution for this problem and reacts inhumanely and blindly. We cannot ignore people who risk their lives every day to reach the doors of the 'European paradise'."
» more information (external link, Portuguese)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Italy, » Europe, » North Africa
Trouw - Netherlands | Thursday, 7. April 2011
An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: » more
An overfilled refugee boat from Libya sank on Wednesday off the Italian island Lampedusa. Twenty corpses have been found and up to 250 people are reported to be missing. It is time for Europe to take action in this refugee crisis, writes the daily Trouw: "That means redistributing the burden that until now has been borne mainly by Italy. But it also means searching for solutions and easing the despair that drives people to put their lives on the line. Cooperation with the countries of North Africa is indispensable. ... But it is only possible with states that guarantee their citizens a minimum of security. For countries like Libya, Eritrea or Somalia that does not hold at present. ... People from these countries must be taken in by Europe, whereupon the EU must act as a union, distributing the refugees among member states and jointly bearing the costs."
» more information (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Italy, » Europe
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 23. March 2011
Roughly 6,000 refugees from North Africa, primarily Tunisia, are currently on the small Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Europe is paying the price for having based its strategy for illegal immigrants above all on agreements with the Libyan dictator Gaddafi, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: » more
Roughly 6,000 refugees from North Africa, primarily Tunisia, are currently on the small Italian Mediterranean island of Lampedusa. Europe is paying the price for having based its strategy for illegal immigrants above all on agreements with the Libyan dictator Gaddafi, writes the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung: "If Gaddafi falls, no one knows when a new state order will be established in Libya or whether it will be able to negotiate border controls. If the addled dictator clings on to power, he will probably keep his word and open his harbours to migrants fleeing towards Europe. The scale of what can be expected is demonstrated by the 15,000 refugees who have arrived from comparatively small Tunisia - with a population of just ten million - in the past three months alone. The first boats from Egypt have already landed in Italy. The extent of what can be expected is revealed by the statements of Interior Minister Roberto Maroni. He has obliged the regions to be ready to take in up to 50,000 migrants. ... All of Europe must prepare for a new wave of immigration."
» more information (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Crises / War, » Migration, » Italy, » Africa, » Europe
All available articles from » Andrea Bachstein
Respekt - Czech Republic | Tuesday, 1. March 2011
Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: » more
Numerous foreign ministers were preoccupied with the situation in Libya at Monday's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the liberal weekly Respekt notes: "The dictator's struggle to cling to power in the face of the revolution against him has driven Libya to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. While the rich West deployed airplanes to quickly evacuate its citizens thousands of refugees who had left their own poor countries to work in oil-rich Libya are gathering at the country's borders. Foreign ministers from across the world are now seeking a way to prevent the disaster from spreading. But it's doubtful that they'll find a solution. Gaddafi's seat may be wobbling but it is still supported by many barrels of oil which the energy-poor West depends on."
» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Crises / War, » Unrest / Riots, » Global, » Libya
All available articles from » Adam Šůra
Die Presse - Austria | Thursday, 24. February 2011
The collapse of public order in Libya is stoking fears of a new stream of immigrants from Africa. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reckons with between 200,000 and 300,000 extra migrants. Yet Europe itself is partially to blame for this scenario, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: » more
The collapse of public order in Libya is stoking fears of a new stream of immigrants from Africa. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reckons with between 200,000 and 300,000 extra migrants. Yet Europe itself is partially to blame for this scenario, the liberal-conservative daily Die Presse writes: "Many Europeans, especially the Italians and Maltese, wouldn't be so stupid as to do a dirty deal with Gaddafi. The Libyan dictator has openly demanded billions of euros from the EU in exchange for keeping economic migrants from the Maghreb countries in Africa and away from the EU. We're forced to ask how naïve and vain politicians can be to have seriously hoped that this ruthless blackmail would bring them lasting advantages. ... But the basic problem lies elsewhere: virtually no country makes a clear distinction between refugees and immigrants. Virtually no politician is prepared to admit that when it comes to controlled immigration they have been sleeping for decades."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Migration, » Europe
All available articles from » Claudia Dannhauser
Avvenire - Italy | Thursday, 24. February 2011
The US and Europe condemn the violence in Libya but they are still reluctant to impose sanctions. The international community cannot remain inactive, the Catholic daily Avvenire warns: » more
The US and Europe condemn the violence in Libya but they are still reluctant to impose sanctions. The international community cannot remain inactive, the Catholic daily Avvenire warns: "In Libya there is the danger that the people will be left to their own resources and become easy prey for jihadist groups. The country could turn into another Somalia. Or worse still, an Afghanistan in the Mediterranean region. ... A nightmare that threatens to provoke a massive flood of refugees. ... To put an end to the bloody tyrant's killing spree the West - and not just the West - must be prepared for anything, also for the humanitarian deployment of UN peacekeeping troops. But above all Europe must react. The Libyan crisis is an opportunity to finally lend substance to the charade we like to call European foreign policy and to give its representative, the unspeakable Baroness Ashton, a job that is worthy of the name."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » EU Policy, » Unrest / Riots, » Europe, » Libya
All available articles from » Luigi Geninazzi
De Groene Amsterdammer - Netherlands | Thursday, 17. February 2011
After the fall of the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents protests have also mounted against authoritarian governments in other Arab countries. The West must no longer remain passive, warns columnist Henk A. Hofland in the left-wing weekly De Groene Amsterdammer: » more
After the fall of the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents protests have also mounted against authoritarian governments in other Arab countries. The West must no longer remain passive, warns columnist Henk A. Hofland in the left-wing weekly De Groene Amsterdammer: "If the uprisings in the Arab World spread to other countries and the West holds rigidly to its crippling perplexed attitude, we will soon face another development. A nation in upheaval is economically unproductive and more or less chaotic in organisational terms, with the result that its population becomes increasingly poor. ... Those with the best prospects are the first to flee. Tunisia has now reached this stage, and the first waves of refugees are now reaching the Italian islands of Pantelleria and Lampedusa. Is this just the beginning? ... In our part of the world the aversion to Muslim and Arab foreigners has grown and become emancipated in the past ten years. Not only here, but also in Belgium, France and Germany. The Arab revolutions now taking shape stand to greatly influence European society."
» full article (external link, Dutch)
More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » Europe, » Middle East, » North Africa
All available articles from » Henk Hofland
Süddeutsche Zeitung - Germany | Wednesday, 16. February 2011
Silvio Berlusconi may just be able to escape the long arm of justice this time too, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung suspects commenting on the sex trial against Italy's prime minister: » more
Silvio Berlusconi may just be able to escape the long arm of justice this time too, the left-liberal daily Süddeutsche Zeitung suspects commenting on the sex trial against Italy's prime minister: "The citizens' vexation has been tangible for weeks. Man say they're ashamed of their government and their country. ... They are angry with an old man with pre-democratic conceptions of power who believes he stands above the law and can do anything he likes. ... It will be interesting to see how Berlusconi and his brilliant lawyers try to prevent the trial. The stream of immigrants from Tunisia comes at an opportune moment. In emergency situations Berlusconi is generally able to present himself as an indispensable man of action. He happily inflates issues to divert attention from his scandals. The Lampedusa affair may mean he has to attend this or that appointment which will unfortunately make it impossible for him to appear in court."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Justice, » Italy
All available articles from » Andrea Bachstein
La Stampa - Italy | Tuesday, 15. February 2011
German chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to take in the Tunisian refugees who landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa. This highlights the EU's lack of a common immigration policy, the liberal daily La Stampa complains: » more
German chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to take in the Tunisian refugees who landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa. This highlights the EU's lack of a common immigration policy, the liberal daily La Stampa complains: "Europe's immigration policy exists on paper. Just as the Frontex agency exists, which has the task of coordinating the nation states in joint missions for controlling the EU's outer borders. But the European decision mechanisms are slow. What is supposed to pass as its common policy in reality is no more that a framework of general principles meant to guide the individual states. ... This precedence of individual states over common institutions is not just typical in foreign policy and internal security. In recent years the European Council of Ministers, where the individual member states are represented, as well as the parliament in Strasbourg have gained influence while the European Commission is losing it rapidly."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Europe, » Tunisia
All available articles from » Marta Dassù
Der Standard - Austria | Tuesday, 15. February 2011
The EU must show solidarity with the Southern European countries where the refugees are landing, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard with an eye to the arrival of thousands of Tunisian refugees on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa: » more
The EU must show solidarity with the Southern European countries where the refugees are landing, writes the left-liberal daily Der Standard with an eye to the arrival of thousands of Tunisian refugees on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa: "The flood of refugees from Tunisia across the Mediterranean shows that people's desire for freedom is not limited to their home country, but also points them in the direction of Europe. Like Spain and Greece, Rome has rightly complained for years that the other EU states are leaving them in the lurch regarding the refugees. It's now more pressing than ever that we should all share this burden together. Because up to now the states on Europe's southern border have been hit far harder than the rest, all because of their geographical position about which they can do nothing. That is a case for European solidarity. The question of what to offer these states is also more urgent than ever. The EU's former Neighbourhood Policy or the Mediterranean Union were thought up as placebos, replacements for membership - in full knowledge that these states don't fulfil the key accession criteria."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Italy, » Greece, » Europe
All available articles from » Alexandra Föderl-Schmid
La Stampa - Italy | Tuesday, 15. February 2011
German chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to take in the Tunisian refugees who landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa. This highlights the EU's lack of a common immigration policy, the liberal daily La Stampa complains: » more
German chancellor Angela Merkel has refused to take in the Tunisian refugees who landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa. This highlights the EU's lack of a common immigration policy, the liberal daily La Stampa complains: "Europe's immigration policy exists on paper. Just as the Frontex agency exists, which has the task of coordinating the nation states in joint missions for controlling the EU's outer borders. But the European decision mechanisms are slow. What is supposed to pass as its common policy in reality is no more that a framework of general principles meant to guide the individual states. ... This precedence of individual states over common institutions is not just typical in foreign policy and internal security. In recent years the European Council of Ministers, where the individual member states are represented, as well as the parliament in Strasbourg have gained influence while the European Commission is losing it rapidly."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Migration, » Europe, » Tunisia
All available articles from » Marta Dassù
Bild - Germany | Tuesday, 15. February 2011
Commenting on the flood of Tunisian refugees on the Italian island Lampedusa, the tabloid Bild calls on the West to provide financial support for the countries of North Africa: » more
Commenting on the flood of Tunisian refugees on the Italian island Lampedusa, the tabloid Bild calls on the West to provide financial support for the countries of North Africa: "Today's tumbling despots will certainly be followed by others, and that puts the onus of responsibility on the West. We must help the refugees. This is not only our humanitarian duty, it is essential to maintain stability in these regions. Certainly, providing help on location will cost money. But every euro that we scrimp today will multiply when the problems come our way one day. The world has grown too small for us to avert our eyes and cower away at home, far removed from the goings on outside."
» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Crises / War, » Europe, » Tunisia
All available articles from » Georg Gafron
La Repubblica - Italy | Monday, 14. February 2011
Several thousand people have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa in recent days as a result of the toppling of the Tunisian regime. Rome shares part of the blame for the situation because of its questionable agreement with Libya on illegal immigration, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: » more
Several thousand people have landed on the Italian island of Lampedusa in recent days as a result of the toppling of the Tunisian regime. Rome shares part of the blame for the situation because of its questionable agreement with Libya on illegal immigration, writes the left-liberal daily La Repubblica: "The victims of an entire political era characterised by Rome's cooperation with Muammar al-Gaddafi and the brutalisation of our society end up in Lampedusa's waters. ... From those who die during the crossings to the arbitrary deportations which all end in Libya's prison to the illegal immigrants who are left at the mercy of exploiters and human trafficking. ... We can see that this situation is on the one hand a result of Europe growing ever more distant and on the other of increasingly close connections with Gaddafi, whom we have promoted to the position of watchman of our coasts, and whom we supply and pay with weapons to this end."
» more information (external link, Italian)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Migration, » Italy, » Libya, » Tunisia
All available articles from » Adriano Prosperi
© Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung
Deutsch
English
Français
© 2005-2013