Abstract

This chapter makes this argument that the EU's narrow, security-based, approach does not succeed in developing a comprehensive migration policy, and neither has it addressed the human issues arising from a crisis such as that currently being seen in the Mediterranean, It does so in three parts. It, first of all, considers the longstanding security focus of the EU in relation to migration and the more recent attempt at moving towards a ‘comprehensive’ approach. It then, secondly, critiques this approach through an examination of the EU’s response through utilising crisis management operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), in particular the EUNAVFOR Med operation. This contribution argues that utilising military means in order to address a humanitarian question is problematic and the expansion of the EUNAVFOR Med operation in terms of its cooperation with the Libyan authorities shows a further focus on security in place of the apparent ‘comprehensive’ approach here. The existing approach shows little prospect of success and is also now giving rise to increased risk to individuals caught up in this crisis; rather than finding their way to safety, these people are finding themselves in equally dangerous situations. The chapter finally considers the continuing problems and the overall prospects for addressing these issues and developing a renewed, truly comprehensive approach.