Stimulating social and economic development has been seen by many as the way to reduce some of the push factors. However, the amounts needed to bring about economic development which would reduce forced migration are beyond imagination. Also, measures to bring about development have only an effect in the longer run and tend to increase migration initially, as some of the better educated try to find jobs abroad. Moreover, globalisation will link national economies, which undoubtedly will result in a continuation of international migration. Only in the long run will sustainable development reduce forced migration and stimulate voluntary migration.
Development assistance is only a moderate instrument in the hands of governments.
It has been argued that development policies should try to address some of the root causes of migration. The existing poverty focus of development cooperation may indeed be useful, but what is needed is a coherent, integrated approach to issues of migration, development, human rights and trade. In November 1996, the Dutch government published its intentions for the present EU Presidency. The document outlines some of the issues which the government expects to feature on the EU agenda in the first half of this year. The document states that in the field of development cooperation coherence will be one of the overriding themes.