MPG in the Media

19 December 2024 | Le Figaro (France)
The French Le Figaro discusses the EU’s strategy of outsourcing migration control through partnerships with third countries aiming at reducing illegal entries. Ursula von der Leyen seeks to expand this with asylum return agreements, despite legal challenges. Commenting on these developments, Carmine Conte, MPG’s Senior Legal Policy Analyst, says that we have to be careful with “short-term solutions that carry long-term risks and undermine the right to asylum”.
24 December 2024 | AA (Turkey)
A Turkish news agency AA published an article Challenges testing Europe’s Union project: Schengen’s foundations shaken focusing on the Schengen Area’s 40th anniversary in 2025 and unprecedented levels of border checks introduced by several EU Member States.
Speaking to the AA agency, Başak Yavçan, a senior researcher at the Migration Policy Group, highlighted the importance of Schengen to the EU, stating: “The suspension of Schengen, as seen in Germany, is a significant blow to the EU project.”
“Free movement is foundational to the EU,” she stressed.
The researcher warned that member states’ growing reliance on border controls is problematic, especially with the increasing influence of far-right political parties.
She noted: “Far-right parties’ agendas are shaping mainstream politics, causing a cycle of anti-immigration sentiment.”
About the Migration Policy Group (MPG)
MPG is an independent think-and-do-tank based in Brussels. MPG’s purpose is rooted in its ability to inspire networks to provide evidence-based projects, research and campaigns in the areas of integration, migration and anti-discrimination.