Addressing the root causes of migration

I’m in Rome today for a meeting with my counterparts, the Home Affairs, and Security Ministers of the European Union from the Mediterranean region. Irregular migration is on the agenda. This meeting follows the Cyprus informal ministerial meeting which I attended, and which had the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on its agenda.

Irregular migration, unfailingly, remains on the EU’s agenda. Billions of euros are spent every year on border management, asylum systems, reception facilities, return operations, and security measures aimed at controlling irregular migration. 

These investments help to maintain order and safeguard the EU’s external borders, but they focus on the consequences of migration rather than its root causes. For a sustainable, and humane, solution to this challenge it is the root causes that must be addressed more effectively.

At the Rome meeting, as I did at the Nicosia informal summit, I shall zoom in on the importance of addressing the root causes of migration, and the long-term investment in stability, prosperity, and shared security.

People often do not embark on life threatening journeys, across the Mediterranean, out of choice, but because their circumstances force them to do so. Economic hardship, lack of employment opportunities, political instability, insecurity, and the growing effects of climate change are often the factors that force them to embark on dangerous journeys across deserts and open seas. For countless young people across parts of Africa, the choice is often between dire circumstances and the hope for a better future.

Investing in opportunity is a smarter approach to migration

Every young person given hope at home is one fewer compelled to undertake a perilous journey, and potentially another life saved.

The EU has been investing heavily in strengthening its migration management systems. However, it is worth reflecting whether much of these resources could achieve better results if directed towards development and opportunity in countries of origin.

Investments in education, vocational training, infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture, healthcare, and entrepreneurship often create the conditions necessary for economic growth and social stability. When young people have access to quality education and realistic employment opportunities, they are less prone to view migration as their only path to a better life.

This investment is not an act of charity, but a strategic investment in Europe’s own future too. A stable and prosperous Africa benefits both continents. It creates opportunities for trade, economic cooperation, innovation, and shared growth. It also helps reduce the pressures that contribute to irregular migration flows. Every successful local business, every new job created, and every community strengthened contributes to a future where fewer people feel compelled to undertake dangerous journeys across deserts and seas.

For countries on the EU’s external frontier, including Malta, this debate is particularly relevant. Malta has for many years shouldered a disproportionate burden due to its geographical position in the Mediterranean. While burden-sharing mechanisms and stronger border management remain essential, long-term solutions cannot be achieved through enforcement measures alone.

Migration needs consistent and comprehensive polices. It must combine effective border controls with meaningful partnerships that promote development, stability, and opportunity in neighbouring regions. Europe cannot simply build higher barriers and expect migration pressures to disappear. The root causes will remain, and get worse, unless they are addressed directly.

This is why I strongly believe that the debate about migration should evolve beyond immediate responses and emergency measures. We must start thinking in terms of prevention rather than just reaction. Instead of spending ever-increasing amounts dealing with the symptoms of migration, Europe should invest more in addressing its underlying drivers.

The most effective migration policy is not one that begins at Europe’s borders. It is one that begins by creating hope, opportunity, and prosperity in the communities from which people are leaving. By investing more in Africa’s future, Europe can help shape a future that is more stable, more prosperous, and ultimately more beneficial for everyone. Investing in opportunity is a smarter approach to migration.

Glenn Bedingfield is Minister for Home Affairs.