by Mr. Stelios Zavvos, Chairman of the Advisory Board of SolidarityNow
the article was publish in “Kathimerini”, 14.02.2016

Recent migration flows pose an existential threat to Europe and pressure the social fabric in Greece. In Germany the population’s reactions jeopardize the Merkel government. Is the coexistence of European pluralist democracy within the growing migration flows possible? The decisions of the Council of Europe in the next few days are critical. The causes of the problem are complex and the solutions bear a heavy financial and social price.
In our modern interconnected world, there is quick information and easier movement. The growing financial inequality between countries makes population flows more attracted to the more prosperous and hospitable. The devastating war in Iraq weakened the Pax Americana in the Middle East, resulting in many local conflicts that led and still lead to increased refugee flows. A striking example is the civil war in Syria, with the involvement of all the major power players in the region. As the war continues, the population flows to Europe will increase. In addition, conflicts in Africa place a burden on the migration flows towards Europe.
The European Union has a chronic problem with refugees and economic migrants, with their social and political integration that worsened in during the euro crisis. Europe found itself unprepared regarding the recent refugee flows: both the physical infrastructure and the population for social and political integration of immigrants. The lack of a thorough political integration complicates a common understanding of the problem.
As a mitigation measure, Europe proposed the Dublin Regulation under which asylum applicants are required to register in the first host country and not in the destination country. In practice, this measure worsens the impact of the migration crisis, leading countries to adopt national chauvinist practices, unavoidable conflicts and does not promote finding pan-European solutions of cooperation of all stakeholders.
The continuing tragedy of thousands of innocent victims in the Mediterranean waters is being treated with introversion by certain states and is creating relentless questions regarding the value system and the solidarity of the European Union.
The EU is in political limbo, and does not support with the necessary resources and expertise Greece to manage population flows but targets the country and threatened it with isolation. It ignores that 40,000 immigrants entered Greece from 2014, and in 2015 exceeded 900,000. Unfortunately, unsuccessful actions from the European governments have strengthened Erdogan and have helped him to become the main regulator, to solve the migration crisis. Undoubtedly, Turkey could provide substantial help for the response to and the management of the refugee crisis of, given the EU economic benefits. But the US has a moral and geopolitical obligation to actively contribute to overcoming the crisis by accepting multiple numbers of refugees from Syria.
The historical placement of Chancellor Merkel who chose as a matter of principle to display the European ideal of solidarity for refugees, was not sufficient although it endangered its political survival in order to support the cultural values ​​that distinguish Europe through globalization. The EU’s dynamic intervention creates conditions for the development of a European asylum policy.
The lack of a common European asylum policy is leading Member States to nationalistic solutions, chauvinism, and xenophobia. It creates a sense of panic and countermeasures against the other Member States, such as threats to the expulsion of Greece from Schengen, building walls with barbed wire, seizing assets of migrants. The European Union faces a tough dilemma – it will either insist on an outdated mono-ethnic state model or it will accept diversity, where national cultures not only coexist, but survive and grow.
Three years ago, a small group of citizens with the financial assistance of the international philanthropic organization Open Society Foundations and the Norwegian government, created the philanthropic organization SolidarityNow. Its purpose is to help meet the upcoming migration flows and vulnerable groups facing the financial and social crisis. We believe that civil society should play a key role where human rights are at stake, especially where there are adequate state institutions and infrastructure. Our goal is to solve specific problems on the spot, with practical measures, while promoting policies that -in our opinion- maximize the response of society to urgent issues. We created Solidarity Centers in Athens, Thessaloniki and Centers of aid provision on the Aegean islands, while we channeled more than 15 million for vulnerable groups.
The migration problem is global and in this particular case, pan-European, so we recommend and support the implementation of an integrated, efficient asylum policy for the EU so that it takes the following practical measures:
– To place again under control of the EU the external borders in order to reduce refugee flows to manageable levels.
– To harmonize asylum policies in all Member States (identifying asylum-making criteria, access to employment, social benefits, etc.) so as to create a single asylum service.
– To establish a generous numerical target for the refugees – about one million per year – and commit to maintain this objective until all those who qualify are admitted.
– To create secure, external examination and control centers in neighboring states and elsewhere, and at the same time, those who qualify for asylum to have them wait for their turn at the temporary accommodation points. Those who leave for Europe missing their turn, will be excluded from the asylum procedure.
– The resettlement of refugees in Europe will take place on a voluntary basis through matching the aspirations of asylum seekers with the acceptance of host countries.
Migration, when safe, lawful and voluntary, is the oldest proven strategy that reduces poverty and accelerates human development. The Greek population movements in North America and Europe prove this.
The current migration crisis requires large funding from Member States, especially those with surplus, with the contribution of not just Europe, but also the international community. The wide range of this acute problem requires great and sustained political commitment for the effective management so that the refugees are not marginalized, but gradually and smoothly integrated into the social fabric. The acute crisis threatens the unfinished structures of the European Union and it would be a strategic error and irresponsibility if all European resources that are at our disposal are not used.
If Europe wants to survive, it must turn the current crisis decisively into an opportunity for long-term growth, thereby addressing the accelerating demographic deterioration, creating joint political and social integration actions, while maintaining its humanitarian values and remaining an open society. It is necessary and urgent to promote the political integration of Europe.