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Context

• The recent agreement reached by European Union ministers on how to handle irregular arrivals of asylum-seekers and migrants.

Details

Background and Importance of the EU Migration Pact:

• EU states have been trading blame over providing for new arrivals since the 2015 influx of over a million people, mostly from Syria.
• The bloc has tightened external borders, asylum laws, and struck deals in the Middle East and North Africa to reduce irregular immigration.
• The goal is to restart cooperation among EU countries to distribute the task of caring for arriving refugees and migrants more evenly.

Key Features of the New Pact:

• Each EU country will be assigned a share of the 30,000 people the bloc expects to accommodate at any given time, based on GDP, population, border crossings, and more.
• Countries unwilling to accept people can provide support to hosting peers through cash, equipment, or personnel (at least 20,000 euros per person per year).
• A new expedited border procedure will be introduced to prevent those unlikely to win asylum from lingering inside the bloc for years.
• Shortened deadlines will apply, with failed asylum applicants being sent away within six months.
• The expedited procedure will also apply to those deemed dangerous, uncooperative, or from countries with low asylum recognition rates in the EU.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Italy and Greece expressed concerns about the feasibility of the new system due to some states' refusal to host people.
• Southern countries worry about being overwhelmed, while others further away from external borders hesitate to admit arrivals.
• Ensuring effective monitoring of people's movements once inside Europe's zone of free travel poses another challenge.
• Rights groups criticized the potential creation of overcrowded migration camps and prolonged detention of minors.
• Poland and Hungary, known for their strong anti-immigration stance, also criticized the pact.

Next Steps and Potential Opposition:

• Despite opposition from Poland and Hungary, a majority of 27 EU countries agreed to the deal.
• Spain will lead further negotiations with the European Parliament on behalf of member states.
• Green members of the EU legislature expressed concerns about human rights, potentially joined by political rivals from Poland and Hungary.
• The deal is expected to gain sufficient support, with hopes for a final agreement before the bloc-wide election in 2024.

About European Union

• The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states primarily located in Europe.
• Established in 1993 with the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, the EU aims to promote peace, stability, and prosperity among its members.
• The members of EU are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

History and Evolution of the EU:

• The EU traces its roots back to the aftermath of World War II when efforts were made to foster cooperation and prevent future conflicts.
• The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) formed in 1951 was the precursor to the EU, focusing on economic integration in key industries.
• Over time, the EU expanded its scope, incorporating new members and deepening integration through treaties such as the Treaty of Rome (1957) and the Treaty of Lisbon (2009).

Key Institutions and Decision-Making:

• The EU has several institutions that play crucial roles in decision-making and governance, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Court of Justice.
• The European Commission serves as the executive branch, proposing legislation and implementing EU policies.
• The European Parliament represents EU citizens and participates in the legislative process.
• The Council of the European Union consists of ministers from member states, responsible for adopting laws and coordinating policies.
• The European Court of Justice ensures the application and interpretation of EU law.

Single Market and Economic Integration:

• One of the EU's core objectives is the establishment of a single market, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU.
• Economic integration within the EU involves harmonizing regulations, implementing a common currency (the euro), and promoting trade among member states.

Common Policies and Areas of Cooperation:

• The EU has common policies in various areas, such as agriculture, fisheries, regional development, and environmental protection.
• It also collaborates on issues such as security and defense, foreign policy, migration, and climate change.
• The EU engages in negotiations and represents its member states collectively in international affairs.

Expansion and Enlargement:

• The EU has experienced several waves of enlargement, welcoming new member states over the years.
• Enlargement has expanded the EU's geographic and demographic reach, bringing in countries from Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

• The EU faces various challenges, including managing divergent interests among member states, addressing economic disparities, and responding to societal changes.
• Brexit, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, represents a significant challenge for the union.
• The EU continues to pursue further integration, while ensuring democratic governance and maintaining the balance between supranational and national interests.

Trade in the European Union

Internal Trade and the Single Market:

• The EU's single market allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member states without trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas.
• Internal trade within the EU is significant, contributing to economic growth and providing opportunities for businesses across member states.

Common Commercial Policy:

• The EU has a common commercial policy that enables it to negotiate trade agreements with other countries and international organizations on behalf of its member states.
• The European Commission, as the EU's executive body, leads trade negotiations and represents the interests of the EU as a whole.

Trade Agreements and Partnerships:

• The EU has negotiated numerous trade agreements with countries and regions around the world, aiming to promote market access and enhance economic cooperation.
• Key trade agreements include those with Canada (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - CETA), Japan (EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement), and South Korea (EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement).

External Trade Relations:

• The EU plays an active role in global trade governance, participating in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and engaging in discussions on trade policies and regulations.
• The EU advocates for open, rules-based trade and promotes sustainable development and social and environmental standards in international trade.

Trade Policy Tools and Instruments:

• The EU utilizes various trade policy tools to manage trade relations, including trade defense instruments such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures to protect domestic industries from unfair competition.
• The EU also establishes rules and standards for product safety, consumer protection, and intellectual property rights to ensure fair and competitive trade.

Challenges and Future Outlook:

• The EU faces challenges in trade, including addressing trade imbalances among member states, adapting to global economic shifts, and navigating geopolitical uncertainties.
• The EU continues to pursue trade negotiations with key partners, such as the United States and China, while exploring new opportunities in emerging markets.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q) In the backdrop of EU countries tightening immigration policy, discuss the relevance of India's comprehensive Migration and Mobility partnership agreement. (250 words)

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/whats-inside-eu-migration-deal-and-what-lies-ahead-8654961/