Warsaw – ESI at ECFR online debate: "Borders of Europe: How can we reconcile values with the need for control?"

27 October 2020
Video: ECFR Warsaw

ESI’s Gerald Knaus was invited to participate in an online debate organised by ECFR Warsaw: “Borders of Europe: How can we reconcile values with the need for control?”

For the past five years, Europeans failed to answer key questions: what role do borders play in the modern world? Who may cross them? Are we even capable and willing of turning back people seeking a better life? How can we strike a balance between protecting against threats, humanitarian aid and increasingly powerful national egoism?

Gerald spoke about the 2016 EU-Turkey migration statement and its impact and implementation 4 years later. He also focused on the current crisis in EU-Turkey relations. Finally, Gerald presented his recently published book “Welche Grenzen brauchen wir?” (“What borders do we need?”) on the future of asylum and migration policy.

The other speakers were Kristian Brakel (Director Heinrich-Böll-Foundation Istanbul) and Kaja Puto (journalist at Political Critique). The debate touched upon European borders and the EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum”.