Migration policy of the European Union
Migration policy of the European Union - is a set of principles and measures used by member countries of the European Union aimed to regulate migration processes in the EU zone. The basic principles and directions of the migration policy of the European Union. In order to regulate and control the high number of migrants as a result of the migration crisis in 2015, the EU annually directs its efforts to develop an effective European migration policy. The creation of a migration policy and its functioning is based on the collection of data about the  current state of affairs, in particular the statistics of the number of legal and illegal migrants who have crossed the borders of the European Union. Despite the fact that migration policy is internally determined, it also serves as an international regulator because it is related to crossing state borders. Accordingly, events at the international level directly affect the development of this type of policy. Based on the data published by UNHCR, as a result of hostilities in Syria, almost 22% of the country's population (with estimated of 4 million people) turned out to be refugees and internally displaced persons  by the beginning of 2015. At the same time as a results of new EU policies, in 2017 the number of migrants has decreased – during the first quarter of 2017, number of immigrants and refugees accounted for 35% of their numbers of the first quarter of 2016. Main principles and activities of migration policy. Changes of 2015. In 2015, the European Commission proposed a system of measures to improve the migration policy of the European Union. A decision was made to strengthen the EU's presence in the world. This decision was reinforced by the Action Plan to Combat Smuggling  of Migrants for 2015–2020: it strengthen the stimulation of law enforcement and judicial activities, improved the collection and exchange of information on migrants, and forfeited cooperation with non-EU countries to combat illegal migration. One of the main principles of migration policy is the principle of solidarity, which is expressed in respect for natural human rights, in the coordination of political and social forces in solving the migration issue. Starting from 2015, many Central European countries unilaterally were closing their borders imprisoning people on the EU countries borders for additional investigations on their further moving intentions, thereby damaging the solidarity  of the Schengen countries and violating the Dublin Regulation, which determines the procedure for considering applications for international protection. EU enacted to block the migration route through the Western Balkans and let in Europe only those migrants and refugees, who will get there by legal routes originating in Turkey. Thus, it was assumed that: the participating countries will forever stop the passage of migrants and refugees through their territory; strict entry control will be introduced at the external borders of the EU; Greece will receive substantial financial assistance due to acceptance of a strong migration flow, as well as an  agreement will be reached with Ankara that Turkey will not allow illegal migrants across its border to Europe and will receive back migrants not allowed into the EU. Eurozone refugee resettlement. In addition, on September 22, 2015, member states of the European Union decided to grant national quotas to refugees in Europe. This principle was developed with the aim of reducing migration pressure in countries such as Italy and Greece. The resettlement of refugees in the eurozone took into account such economic and demographic indicators as GDP, population, unemployment rate and the number of already considered asylum applications in countries  that are members of the European Union. The European Union has a broad regulatory framework through which it distributes refugees in Europe. Currently, Dublin III regulations are being implemented revised and amended by European Union member countries in 2016. According to the Regulation, migrants are not able to choose the state from which they decided to apply for asylum. The regulation allows to apply for refugee status only from the country in which migrants enter first. At the same time, if there is a desire to change the country, migrants will have to return to their original point of arrival . In addition to the Dublin Agreement, the EU complies with the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which is the main legislative act establishing the status and rights of refugees. According to the key provisions of the legal act, the main apparatus in the regulation of situations with refugees is the government. They are obliged to preserve the rights and freedoms of internally displaced persons and refugees, but at the same time monitor the creation of such a legal provision that is used by all foreigners who have arrived in a foreign country on a common basis Key  solutions to the migration crisis. Decisions on the migration crisis are formulated in the final documents of the European Council, adopted on February 18, March 7 and 18, 2016, which can be grouped in three major areas: Firstly, the EU has provided financial and expert support, to countries that have accepted the main migration flow, in particular Greece, which will facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees, the observance of administrative procedures for border control and the processing of asylum requests in accordance with the rules EU. Reception centers are being set up, where newly arrived migrants will pass  a quick check and will be divided into those whose asylum requests can be considered, and those for whom the further path is closed. In addition, transit centers are organized to which candidates for asylum or other forms of international protection will be sent. Secondly, the EU has concluded an agreement with Turkey, which clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties in connection with the influx of refugees and migrants traveling through Turkey to Europe. According to this agreement, migrants who illegally arrived in Greece from Turkey will be sent back to Turkey, and Europe will accept migrants  only on condition that their asylum requests are submitted and approved in Turkish territory. Also, the Turkish authorities from now are obliged to block the channels of smuggling and illegal transportation of people to Europe. Meanwhile, the EU gave the right to legal employment and education of Syrian children in Turkish schools. In exchange, European leaders agreed to pay compensation of €3 billion to Turkey in 2016–2017, expedite the abolition of visas for Turkish citizens entering the Schengen zone, and resume the stalled negotiations on Turkey's accession to the EU Thirdly, in accordance with the obligation taken by  all EU countries to return to compliance with the Schengen rules and establish strict border controls, additional resources were allocated to specialized services, including the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the European Asylum Support Service for persons applying for obtaining asylum (EASO). Based on statistics published by UNHCR, these EU decisions have significantly affected the number of people crossing the Greek border - the number of migrants has more than halved. However, according to critics, the decline in migration occurred due to the fact that people in anticipation of a new EU-Turkey agreement, massively emigrated to Greece  before its adoption in order to avoid migration problems after the agreement formal entry into force. Therefore, new agreement has no influence on the declining number of migrants. Main issues of EU migration policy. In 2017, the EU migration policy was tightened. At the summit held in Brussels on October 19, 2017, it was indicated that the approach of the EU Member States and institutions to ensure full control over the borders should be consolidated. Moreover, the conclusions of the European Council indicate its readiness to respond and suppress any attempts to illegally cross the borders of EU Member States . However, the settlement of the issue did not become clearer due to presence of EU's “vicious circle” problem, which consists in confronting immigrant flows and at the same time in complying with the principles protecting the human rights of migrants, combating poverty, etc. Representatives of the European Commission and countries which support the adoption of migrants emphasize the need to fulfill international obligations, focusing on the priority of migrant security. Meanwhile, opponents of the reception of migrants emphasize that the highest value is the security of the state and its citizens highlighting that migration could be an economic, cultural  and religious risk. As a result of this, phobia of Islamization based on the socio-political as well as cultural dominance of Islam in the EU countries emerges. Unshakable human rights enter into confrontation with the slogans on the expulsion of migrants, the course to which the EU has proclaimed. The position of national states in relation to migrants who violate public order and impose their own way of life is becoming tougher, which unconditionally leads to a restriction of the rights of migrants, and soon and a possible subsequent restriction of the rights of indigenous people. Inconsistency of actions  of member countries of the European Union. The principle of resettlement of refugees by quotas has not proved its worth in all countries of the European Union. According to statistics for 2017, Malta and Luxembourg accepted the maximum number of migrants among all EU countries with an average of 41-46 immigrants per 1000 population. Meanwhile, Czechia, Croatia, Bulgaria and Slovakia accepted less than 5 migrants per 1000 of population. In the autumn of 2015, the Czech Republic, together with Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, voted against the compulsory admission of refugees. Later, under pressure from EU neighbors, authorities nevertheless agreed  to comply with EU requirements. The Czech Republic were supposed to accept 2000 asylum seekers but only accepted 12. Spokesperson of the president of Czech Republic Milos Zeman commented that : “Our country simply cannot afford to risk terrorist attacks like those that occurred in France and Germany. By accepting migrants, we would create fertile ground for barbaric attacks”