Presentation of the Mediterranean white paper on informal migration.
Madrid Office of the EU Parliament and Commission
A New Approach to Mediterranean Migration
On the 24th, the Madrid Office of the European Parliament and Commission opened its doors to a critical gathering of policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives for a comprehensive discussion on the challenges and opportunities surrounding migration in the Mediterranean region. This conference, co-hosted by Fortius Foundation and Principios, brought together diverse perspectives from Southern Europe and North Africa, aiming to foster dialogue on one of the most pressing issues of our time—migration.
The day commenced with welcome words from Juan Ángel Soto, President of Fortius Foundation, and Jorge Aguado, Vice President of Principios. Both emphasized the importance of collaboration across borders, noting that migration is a challenge no single nation can tackle alone. As Soto highlighted, the Mediterranean Dialogue Initiative has already united over 20 organizations from 12 Mediterranean countries, with the collective goal of shaping policies that are both humane and effective.
A key moment of the event was the presentation of the white paper on Migration in the Mediterranean. The paper offers an in-depth analysis of informal migration patterns and current policy approaches in the region. It argues that while security and border control are crucial, they are not sufficient to address the complexities of migration. A more comprehensive strategy is required, one that includes economic development, legal migration pathways, and efforts to reduce inequalities driving migration.
The event included several panel discussions that explored different aspects of migration from both Southern European and North African perspectives. These discussions provided insight into the regional differences, challenges, and solutions, highlighting the importance of tailored policies for each region.
1. Panel Discussion: A South European Perspective
This panel brought together experts from Spain, Italy, and Portugal to discuss the migration challenges faced by Southern European countries. The panelists emphasized the importance of collaboration and solidarity in addressing the migration flows into Europe. Participants included:
- Irune Ariño, from Principios (Spain)
- Karina Kozhakhmet, representing Rete Italiana Euromediterranea (Italy)
- Gonçalo Torres, from Students for Liberty (Portugal)
- Moderated by Mark Vargha, Migration Research Institute (Hungary)
2. Panel Discussion: A North African Perspective
This session focused on the migration dynamics in North African countries, with panelists sharing their experiences in dealing with migration, both as countries of origin and transit. They also discussed the social, political, and economic challenges their countries face. The panelists were:
- Loubna El Hassouni, President of Eden Maroc (Morocco)
- Dr. Mohamed Wounouki, founding member of the Algerian Debate Foundation (Algeria)
- Malak Darwish, Executive Director of the International Debate Institute (Lebanon)
- Moderated by Tasnim Idriss, Coordinator of Mediterranean Dialogue
3. Panel Discussion: The Importance of Cooperation and Development for Migration
This session examined the role of international cooperation and development initiatives in addressing the root causes of migration. The speakers discussed how investing in development in countries of origin could reduce the pressures of migration, and the importance of creating legal pathways for migrants. The panelists included:
- Rafael Herráiz, General Director of Cooperación Internacional ONG
- Iñaki Díaz, CEO & Founder of IñakiDiaz
- Miguel Rico, IñakiDiaz
- Moderated by Liskel Álvarez Domínguez, former Councillor of External Action of Tenerife
Throughout these panels, a recurring theme was the need for stronger cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean. The panelists stressed that migration is not a crisis but a structural issue that requires long-term, coordinated efforts. They highlighted the importance of viewing migration as an opportunity for collaboration rather than solely as a challenge to be managed.
The white paper’s conclusions underscored the need for migration policies that go beyond control measures, advocating for development initiatives in migrant-sending countries, enhanced integration policies in receiving countries, and the creation of legal migration channels to ensure safe and orderly migration. As keynote speaker Amparo González Ferrer, Senior Scientist at the Spanish National Research Council’s Demography Institute, noted, successful integration benefits not just the migrants but society as a whole.
As the day came to a close, Roméo Gbaguidi, President of LemAfriQ, delivered final remarks, reminding the attendees that the work does not stop here. He invited everyone to continue the dialogue at the European Parliament in Brussels, where further discussions would take place on how to implement the recommendations of the white paper.
This conference marked a significant step forward in addressing Mediterranean migration through collaboration and shared responsibility. It laid the groundwork for future actions that could transform the Mediterranean from a region of division into one of cooperation and mutual benefit.
