Search Results for: Schengen

Maps and Statistics

Introduction These pages contain maps showing EU membership, enlargement and the adoption of key policies. At the foot of the page there are also statistical tables and graphs, for use as quick-reference tools. Want to know the government debt of Italy, expressed as a percentage of GDP? This is the place to look! EU Member… [Read More]

The EU-Turkish refugee agreement solves very little

At a summit this weekend EU leaders and the Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu agreed a deal on asylum and Turkish access to Europe. Turkey will try to slow numbers travelling through to Greece and accept those economic migrants the EU returns to Turkey, in exchange for €3bn and enhanced visa-free movement rights for Turkish citizens to… [Read More]

Cameron’s decision to take in more Syrian refugees is welcome but late

For weeks Prime Minister David Cameron has been arguing that allowing more refugees from the Middle East and Africa into the UK would encourage even more arrivals. His stance was that the focus should be on dealing with the cause of instability in the region by trying to encourage a political settlement in Syria. The… [Read More]

Lack of asylum cooperation with Germany could make the Calais border much worse

The number of asylum seekers attempting to enter Britain from Calais isn’t a problem caused by UK membership of the EU. If all 28 members were unconnected but economically similar, or joined by a looser EFTA arrangement, Europe would still be seen as safe and attractive to those fleeing conflict. This means that, after Brexit,… [Read More]

Commission migration proposal faces criticism but are there any alternatives?

The European Commission yesterday published its plan to address the complex issues of asylum seekers dying while attempting to cross the Mediterranean and the distribution of migrants across European countries. In correspondence with tackling this humanitarian crisis, the Agenda on Migration aims to address both the long-term root causes of the migration crisis and to… [Read More]

There is truth in Greece’s open borders warning

The stability of the Greek state’s finances remains vulnerable this week, as Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis confirmed repayment of €430m (£330m) to the International Monetary Fund on Thursday, narrowly avoiding default and bankruptcy once again. However, this commitment came with the warning that payment means Greek civil servants’ wages and pensions were not covered, with… [Read More]

A bold suggestion to address the European immigration issue

Malik Azmani, an MP of the ruling party in the Netherlands, the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), published a bold proposal last Sunday to shut all external European borders for non-EEA immigrants and to provide safe havens in their regions. All Dutch parties except Geert Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) condemned the… [Read More]

Could an independent Scotland stay in the EU? Yes, no and maybe

Yesterday the EU Commission’s president Barroso said it would be ‘extremely difficult, if not impossible’. I say, ‘Yes and No.’

MEPs object to Malta putting its citizenship up for sale

MEPs have voted against Malta’s controversial scheme to sell Maltese citizenship for €650,000. The scheme is designed to attract wealthy foreigners from countries such as Russia and China, in order to boost the small island’s economy. Malta joined the EU in 2004; it is part of the Schengen area (and has a visa waiver agreement… [Read More]

Stockholm riots and EU populism

Riots have plagued Stockholm satellite-towns over the last five days. Youths set fire to over 30 cars plus state buildings including a nursery, Rågsved police station and a school.