Opportunities and Threats in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Security and Migration. Case Study: Malta and Frontex
Date
2014-06-05
Authors
Papagiorcopulo, Nadya
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Abstract
“The ambition of Europe in the Mediterranean is to turn its formed power into positive influence, to help build trust among all countries, to share our experience of consolidating peace through economic cooperation. These are the same instruments that shaped the European continent. So we are confident these instruments will also serve to gradually achieve stability and prosperity in the Euro-Mediterranean relations, while bringing our societies closer.” George A. Papandreou and Chris Patten The author was highly impressed by the above quote due to the strong political importance given to the region of the Mediterranean. Its positivism projects a sense of motivation to the region and acts as an inspiration for hope in order to achieve peace, security and stability in the region. The European Union Agency for the Management of Operation Cooperation at the External Borders of the European Union’s Member States (Frontex) has become a core instrument for border management and control, also bound by the requirements of international law: including human rights desires and democratic concerns. The purpose of this dissertation is to answer the following research question: “How do peace and security, in relation to the European Union agency Frontex, affect Malta as a member of the Euro-Med region?” This dissertation intends to address the issues which pertain to Frontex in the Euro-Med region and analyse how successful these are. The problem of irregular migration in the Maltese islands has been on the increase since 2002, while Frontex has only been operating in the Maltese territorial waters (through joint operations) since 2006. Chapter 1 gives a clear introduction to the topic of discussion and provides a brief background on the Mediterranean, the Euro-Med region and Frontex. Chapter 2 is a detailed literature review which gives a description of the literature relevant to a particular field. Throughout Chapter 3, 4 and 5, the author provides discussions through research on the issues which pertain to the dissertation project, in particular to diplomacy concerns about security, the Mediterranean, illegal migration, Malta and Frontex, among others. Chapter 6 is a build-up on the previous chapter and hence delves into the case study of Malta, while Chapter 7 is a conclusion which highlights the findings, lessons learnt, track record and experiences of the region. It also provides a summary of the dissertation and gives a clear answer as to whether Malta can ultimately be a promoter of Frontex.
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Keywords
Euro-Med Region, Mediterranean, FRONTEX, European Union Immigration Policy, Malta