Hamburg – ESI at panel discussion: “Does the EU need migration or does it even have a choice?”

21 September 2021
Video: United Europe

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to give the keynote speech at a panel discussion on the question “Does the EU need migration or does it even have a choice?” organised by United Europe.

The discussion focused on the following issues: What can and should we be doing to stop people putting their lives at risk in trying to get to Europe? What are the positive aspects of migration for the economy and diversity of Europe? The number of migrants seeking to enter the EU along its southern borders risks becoming overwhelming. Once they make it to the EU, many migrants immediately seek asylum. The EU is morally and legally obliged to provide asylum to those who seek it. How can the EU better legislate to ensure a more balanced sharing of asylum seekers among its Member States? What has prevented such legislation up to now? Is it possible and desirable to integrate asylum seekers into society and the economy following a successful asylum application?

Gerald centred his presentation on the current European debate on migrants and refugees and outlined ESI’s proposal for a new, humane approach on borders, asylum, and the dangers of pushbacks at the EU’s borders and the need for more resettlement initiatives.

Other speakers were Ola Henrikson (Regional Director for the International Organisation for Migration at the Brussels Regional Office) Assita Kanko (Member of the European Parliament), and Martin Schoeller (co-Chairman and a Managing Director of the Schoeller Group). The panel was moderated by James Candon (Managing Director, United Europe).