EU-Egypt Agreement: New Prospects for Migration Control?

The EU-Egypt agreement on migration represents yet another attempt from the European Union to curb migration. However, rather than addressing the roots of migration, it adopts a securitisation perspective. The lack of a comprehensive approach to migration is likely to undermine the new agreement. Similarly, it could foster the disregard of human rights. Moreover, it is likely that this agreement is part of a broader EU strategy to relocate it’s supply chains. By containing migration in Egypt, the EU ensures a local workforce. This is necessary to sustain EU-based companies’ supply and production lines.

Key Judgement 1. The recent EU-Egypt agreement on migration is unlikely to diminish the overall migration flows in Europe over the next two years.

Key Judgement 2. It is unlikely that implementing the agreement will improve migrants’ human rights in the next two years.

Key Judgement 3. This agreement is likely to be part of a wide E.U. strategy of nearshoring and regional connectivity in the next 24 months.