EU to offer Africa aid to stop flow of migrants

The summit was called six months ago, after the sinking of a boat from Libya which led to the loss of over 800 migrant lives forced EU governments to step up naval rescue missions.

Negotiations with Turkey, temporary home to over 2 million Syrians, on slowing departures to Greece will be at the centre of further talks among the EU leaders on Thursday.

They will also discuss how the measures they have agreed since April will take effect, as a continued flow of migrants via the Balkans is still straining the system of open borders among European states.

The summit chair, European Council President Donald Tusk, told the Maltese parliament on Tuesday that an expected doubling of Africa’s population by 2050, and the strain that refugees from conflict in the Middle East were placing on Europeans’ will to keep their borders open to each other, made action essential.

“The precondition for conducting our own European migration policy is restoring effective control over our external borders,” said the former Polish premier, calling for partnership with African and other neighbours to control today’s flows of people.

African Concerns

African governments have expressed concern at suggestions that Europe could sharply reduce immigration from the continent, cutting a vital source of remittance income for their economies.

EU officials say there will be assurances that legal migration, for students notably but also for seasonal labour, could be increased in return for help to cut illegal migration.

A priority for many in Europe is more cooperation from African states in recognising and accepting the return of their citizens who do not meet criteria for asylum.

Some leaders in the EU warn that development funds are at risk if Africans do not do more to discourage their citizens from leaving. Official policy, however, is to focus on offering “more for more”, more aid for more help, rather than on cutting back what is already paid.

Whilst the EU recognises the plight of refugees from war-torn Syria, most believe several of those leaving Africa are looking for work and do not qualify for asylum, despite some fleeing conflict, human rights abuses or forced conscription.

Experts fear the lure of aid, trade and other benefits will lead to human rights will suffer in the process as they sign the deals with the EU.

Concern is growing that the EU will use its considerable political and economic clout (including access to more than 1.8 billion euros) in aid to buy off vulnerable countries over the two-day summit.