by Monnet Matters The continuing unrest in the Middle East and in Northern Africa has resulted in new waves of desperate people forced to flee their home. It is not an exaggeration to describe the situation in Iraq and Syria as a human catastrophe. A civilisation of centuries has to follow the demands of history. The Middle East has turned the page. A new reality is coming. One of the consequences of such change is the enormous number of people who are trying to escape – fleeing in almost every direction. But in our own house, in Europe, the situation does not seem to be so clear. Populists from different political parties prepare themselves in order to speculate about a new immigration threat! But are they immigrants? During the 1990s and during the first decade of the 21 century, many European countries attracted immigrants. Hundreds of men and women arrived from the former Communist countries and from any part of the world to Europe. They found work in the strong economies, but even in the weaker economies like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. During these years, hundreds of thousands of immigrants were able to build a new life right alongside other Europeans. They helped the economies of their new countries and had a strong participation in the successful preparation of those economies that founded the euro currency. However, the recession and the economic crisis that especially hit the South European countries, has all but stopped this movement. Many of the countries in South Europe are struggling with unemployment rates that have turned into a permanent problem since many once-lucrative activities have gone bankrupt. The immigrants were hit by the same crisis and many of them have lost their job. As one can only imagine, every immigrant who had an opportunity to leave the country in crisis for another one with a healthier economy did so. After all, an immigrant goes to a country with a stable economy where he can work and create wealth for him and his family. That means immigration waves toward the EU are now limited and completely non-existent in the countries of the South. But what are the people from Syria, Iraq and Africa when they arrive in Europe? Why are Nordic countries preparing new programmes for receiving them? Why is Poland, which is not an immigrant-receiving country, considering the possibility of taking them in? In opposition to the populists, they dream of growing their electoral base. We must distinguish between immigrants and refugees, since the last wave of people knocking at our door is made up only of refugees. These people are not searching for new, improved conditions, or to set up a more lucrative business. They are escaping from death. Their aim is to abandon their dangerous land and cross the border at any cost. This is why 1.6 million people have arrived in Turkey. This is why they continue to cross the Sea without taking in consideration how dangerous it could be. It is correct that the countries that can afford it are ready to help them. It is correct that we want to take care of them. But after we, as EU member states, have acted out of duty we must also discuss about our responsibility for what is happening in the Middle East and Africa. And we must also discuss serious and permanent ways to help these people and the societies. Donating food, clothes and money, making charity in poor worlds, isn’t the best and only way to help the modern refugees.
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