Attempting the Impossible? The Prospects and Limits of Mobility Partnerships and Circular Migration

Abstract

In ELIAMEP Thesis 1/2009 Anna Triandafyllidou, Senior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP, argues that mobility partnerships and circular migration as proposed by the Commission in its respective Communication are not likely to work. The author holds that many if not most neighbouring countries will be unable to comply and implement the conditions set by the EU. At the same time, it is questionable whether one should tie schemes of legal migration to the efficiency of the source country in combating irregular migration, as this is both economically irrational and politically questionable.