Arrr! The scurvy dog, European Union's migration captain, be pleadin' for a million more law-abidin' mateys!
2024-01-08
Avast, me hearties! Ylva Johansson, the European Union's home affairs commissioner, be shoutin' from the crow's nest about them landlubber member states needin' to face the policy troubles linked to the old souls sailin' these European waters. Arrr, tis a challenge indeed!
The European Union's top official for migration, Ylva Johansson, has highlighted the need for member states to address the challenges posed by the continent's aging population. She emphasized the importance of shifting away from illegal migration and finding legitimate alternatives. Johansson pointed out that the EU's population of working age is decreasing by 1 million per year due to demographic reasons, which means legal migration should increase by around 1 million per year. This presents a significant challenge for the EU.The EU Commission is currently working on an EU-wide overhaul of migration rules before the end of its term and the European Parliament elections in June. Last month, a preliminary agreement was reached in this regard. Eurostat projections indicate that the share of the population aged 65 or over will rise from 21.1% in 2022 to 31.3% by the end of the century.
Johansson and EU Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas visited Greece for meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other officials. Despite concerns over migration fueling support for far-right and anti-EU parties in Europe, Johansson argued that the real issue lies with illegal migration, which generates xenophobia and racism. She believes that citizens are more concerned about the orderly management and control of migration rather than the number of migrants arriving.
During the meetings in Greece, survivors of a migrant shipwreck attended a small demonstration organized by activist groups to protest against tougher border and maritime policing, which they argue puts migrants' lives at greater risk. Police blocked access to the area where the meetings were held but made no arrests.