The Human Security in the Euro-Mediterranean Relations: Contradictions on Migration to the Countries of Southern Europe

The approach of human security seeks to conceptualize the changings centered on States and their own safety to a new approach focused on people. This also leads to a new centrality of questions about identity, diversity and citizenship. In a world increasingly interconnected, opportunities and threats do not know borders.

We propose is to discuss the link between security and the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, and therefore to explore the European policy framework on migration.. At a time when international opinion examines the circumstances in which the successive tragedies occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, the critical tone about the role of the EU turn out to be stronger.

We live in a time marked by the tragic images of thousands of refugees in various parts of the world, looking for a safe place to live. Paradoxically, the more this tragedy grows, the doors of Europe seem to become more impenetrable. We are facing a situation that contrasts with the relative tolerance revealed in Europe after the end of the Second World War, when the majority of immigrants and political refugees were welcomed. 

To understand the historical process of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, we will analyze the trajectories within southern European countries regarding issues of security and borders within the European Union. What role is played by countries of southern Europe? How to respond to large waves of immigrants running away from war, persecution and poverty?

The context of strong migration waves and the restraints to them facing links both worlds: the rich countries, defied to the population decline and poor countries with explosive demographic vitality.

This series of issues will be discussed, using statistical data, reports produced by the European Union and its Member States and other sources of documents, including the expression of these issues in the media.