PRAGUE, March 25, 2024 – Jan Lipavský, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Markéta Gregorová, a Member of the European Parliament, both from the Pirates Party, today presented their views on the increasing wave of migration in Europe. In 2023, European countries received approximately one asylum application for every 400 inhabitants. However, the current migration system is inadequate, and individuals often slip through it without proper procedures. According to the Pirates, it is necessary to establish rules that provide a better overview and knowledge of who is moving within Europe. The key to addressing the issue of migration, according to the Pirate politicians, is to emphasize European cooperation, combat organized crime, and prevent migration at its source.

The current system is not functioning optimally. European states are facing a number of problems related to the increase in illegal migration, and populist politicians are trying to profit politically from these problems. On the other hand, people fleeing, including children, are forced to choose dangerous routes and die at sea. This needs to change, according to the Pirates. The situation can only be solved together, at the European level.

“Hundreds of thousands of migrants are flowing into Europe, many of whom are fleeing war or authoritarian regimes in their home countries. Unlike populist politicians who collect votes on the issue of migration based on the fear they incite, we are presenting concrete proposals for reforming the migration system. Migration to European Union countries was the highest in the last 7 years. It is no longer possible to ignore this issue. National measures are insufficient; we need to find a European solution, and we are ready to contribute with what the Pirates do best: rational policies based on data,”” argues Lipavský.

According to Member of the European Parliament Markéta Gregorová, it is necessary to begin building an effective, data-driven European solution. “Our approach to migration is realistic and rational. Migration exists and will continue to exist. Solving it requires cooperation at the European level. At the same time, we must choose appropriate solutions depending on the situation, avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater, and avoid conflating different issues such as refugee status, illegal migration, and legal labor migration. In addressing illegal migration, the main focus must be on prevention and combating organized crime and smuggling. In asylum policy, we emphasize the obligations arising from international law, reject quotas, and demand a revision of the Dublin system. We are also aware that there is a shortage of up to 200,000 workers in our labor market. We urge their rapid integration, the elimination of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles, and fair conditions with an emphasis on compliance with labor law.”

Both politicians agreed that migration must be addressed comprehensively. It is not possible to wait until millions of people are put in motion. It is crucial to focus on addressing the root causes that force people to leave their homes. They spoke, for example, about the issue of climate migration and the importance of development cooperation in this area, or the importance of strategic communication in the countries of origin of migrants. There was also mention of the status of Ukrainian refugees and the importance of supporting Ukraine. “If any of the major Ukrainian cities were to fall, millions more refugees could be displaced. That is why we must support Ukraine and help stop Russian aggression,”” commented Lipavský on the situation with Ukrainian refugees.

Markéta Gregorová

[https://www.pirati.cz/jak-pirati-pracuji/bezpecnost-obcanu-nezajisti-populiste-ale-racionalni-migracni-politika-zalozena-na-datech-shoduji-se-lipavsky-a-gregorova/](https://www.pirati.cz/jak-pirati-pracuji/bezpecnost-obcanu-nezajisti-populiste-ale-racionalni-migracni-politika-zalozena-na-datech-shoduji-se-lipavsky-a-gregorova/) (Link: The security of citizens is not ensured by populists, but by a rational migration policy based on data. Lipavský and Gregorová agree.)