CIDOB Opinion 666 from May 2021 discusses the recent crisis at the border between Spain and Morocco, particularly the mass entry of migrants into Ceuta. The report draws parallels with a similar incident in Greece-Turkey border in 2020, where Turkey opened its borders to exert pressure on the European Union.
The main point is that these border crossing incidents are not new phenomena but manifestations of a broader strategy of "border blackmail". This strategy is rooted in the externalization of migration control by European states onto countries of origin and transit. It involves policies such as deterrence, containment during transit, return of migrants, strengthening of border security, signing of readmission agreements, and creation of detention centers.
The essence of this strategy is to outsource the management and control of migration flows to countries of origin and transit in exchange for strategic resources and support. The Moroccan government's border crossing actions were made possible due to Spain's ceding of substantial responsibility in migration matters to Morocco.
The European Union and its member states have been implementing this strategy since the late 1990s. Key documents like the 2015 EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, the 2016 Framework Partnership Agreement with third countries, and the 2016 refugee deal with Turkey exemplify this approach. Similarly, EU member states, including Spain, have developed similar policies.
However, this strategy has significant drawbacks. It negatively impacts the safety of migrants by making migration routes more dangerous. It also alters the ethical basis of international relations, potentially exploiting migrants for political leverage.
In conclusion, the report argues that addressing crises like those in Ceuta, Greece, and Turkey requires a radical shift in how the EU and its member states think about and manage migration governance. This includes reconsidering the benefits of externalizing migration control and seeking more ethical and safe migration management strategies.
