EU migration ministers address militant Islamist attacks, risks from Israel-Hamas war

European Union Migration Ministers Meet to Discuss Security and Potential Crisis

By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union’s migration ministers are set to convene on Thursday to tackle security concerns in the wake of recent deadly attacks in France and Belgium. Additionally, they will address the potential mass displacement of individuals as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.

Given the recent attack in Brussels, which claimed the lives of two individuals by a Tunisian failed asylum-seeker, some officials within the EU have called for stricter border controls, increased repatriations, and new agreements with African countries aimed at preventing refugees and migrants from reaching Europe.

Last week, a teacher was murdered in northern France, an act condemned by President Emmanuel Macron as “Islamist terrorism.” These incidents coincide with the security concerns prevalent across Europe due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

An EU diplomat involved in the preparation of the ministerial talks highlighted the relevance of the Middle East situation for internal security within the EU. They emphasized the need to address the developments both in the Middle East and within the bloc.

This meeting will be the first in-person opportunity for ministers to exchange views since the attack on October 7th by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,400 Israelis, mainly civilians. Israel has retaliated by launching airstrikes on Gaza.

While no specific decisions are expected to be made during the meeting, ministers will engage in discussions regarding the potential triggers for large numbers of Palestinians fleeing or instigating violent acts within the EU.

Despite concerns about a potential surge in immigration following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, such fears did not materialize within the EU. However, the bloc remains cautious due to the unexpected influx of over a million refugees – primarily from the Syrian conflict – in 2015.

The attack in Brussels has exposed the ongoing shortcomings of the EU’s troubled migration and asylum systems, particularly regarding security gaps and insufficient repatriations. Only approximately 20% of individuals whose asylum applications are rejected in Europe are actually returned to their home countries.

Supporters of the EU’s anticipated migration policy overhaul argue that it would address these issues by facilitating quicker deportations of foreigners with criminal records. Additionally, the EU is seeking to establish new agreements with African nations, such as Egypt and Morocco, similar to the recently sealed deal with Tunisia. In exchange for aid, these agreements aim to reduce the number of departures for Europe from these countries.

However, critics express doubts about the effectiveness of the EU’s new migration and asylum policies. They also highlight the growing risks to human rights as the focus shifts towards deterring unauthorized immigration.

Despite these concerns, the EU, a bloc comprising 450 million people, has recorded around 250,000 irregular arrivals this year, largely facilitated by smugglers. In the previous year, the EU took in several million refugees as a result of Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine. Nevertheless, the EU aims to decrease irregular immigration from the Middle East and Africa.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; editing by Philippa Fletcher)