Description
The EU response to the continuing Mediterranean migration crisis has over several years changed from Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)-orchestrated civilian crisis management to a securitisation approach under the Union’s Area of Freedom Security and Justice (AFSJ). This has coincided with Commission efforts to reform the Dublin system and to achieve a comprehensive migration and asylum policy founded upon equitable burden sharing. The paper adopts an identity-based theoretical framework, focusing on how the Union sees itself and is seen by others. It furthermore explores issues of legitimacy and accountability concerning EU efforts to secure its external borders. Although EU border securitisation has been extensively examined, there is limited research exploring the different understandings and practices of securitisation of migration among different EU institutions.
