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Covid pandemic increases migratory pressure on the EU


As a result of the pandemic, the number of refugees in Europe will increase this year.

Brussels - According to the migration agency International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the availability of vaccines and the general care of patients mean that more migrants want to come to Europe. "The good health care in Europe is a magnet for illegal immigrants. In the EU one is vaccinated for free. This is very attractive for refugees from Africa, Latin America and Asia. Therefore we expect an increase in illegal immigration", said Michael Spindelegger, head of the migration agency ICMPD, to Handelsblatt (Tuesday edition). Then there is the global economic crisis.

"In many countries, economic hopes are falling. That is why the pressure to emigrate will increase," predicts the former Austrian Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister. The CMPD experts observe that illegal immigration to Europe is opening up new routes.

The ICMPD cites the escape routes from Lebanon to the EU country Cyprus or from Mauritania to the Canary Islands as examples. There the number of refugees has risen by 900 percent. On the central Mediterranean route via Tunisia, the number of refugees rose by 155 percent last year.

Tourism has plummeted in Tunisia as well as in other North African countries such as Morocco and Egypt. That is why young people in particular are turning their backs on Tunisia. Even on the Western Balkans route, the number of illegal immigrants increased by 105 percent last year. Latin America is also in the sights of migration experts: "South America is much more affected by the economic slump than the EU. As soon as the flight connections are fully restored, migration from there will increase", Spindelegger predicts. Many will not be able to stay there because of the high unemployment. "In view of the economic situation, immigrants will inevitably switch to other EU countries," says the migration expert. The migration organization ICMPD in Vienna and Brussels, with around 350 employees, includes 18 European countries, including Germany since last year.

Source: Der Newsticker
Photo: liberianobserver.com
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