The changes in the fight against illegal immigration in the Euro-Mediterranean area and in Euro-Mediterranean relations

This paper summarises recent years’ developments of European southern border controls with regard to migration movements originating from and/or transiting through North Africa. Particular attention is dedicated to strategies regarding immigration and border controls adopted by Italy (as one of the main first destination countries of illegal migration transiting through or originating from North Africa) as well as by the European union.

 Section 1 gives an overview of illegal migration movements by the seaway between North Africa and Southern Europe.

 Section 2 presents Italy as a case study and tries to show which instruments have been used by the Italian government to induce last transit countries to tighten border controls and cooperate in the fight against illegal migration movements.

 Section 3 focuses on EU policies for the delocalisation of southern external border controls.

 Section 4 goes over recent developments of border controls and fight against illegal immigration in selected North African countries (Egypt, Tunisia and Libya).

 Section 5 deals with the principle of non refoulement and the delocalisation of asylum.

The changes in the fight against illegal immigration in the Euro-Mediterranean area and in Euro-Mediterranean relations