The year 2015-2016 marks a change in the European Union’s migration policy. Massive arrivals of Syrian refugees disembark irregularly in Europe, images of lost human lives in the Mediterranean Sea at the borders of one of the most developed and wealthy regions in the world appear in the Media. The European Union and its Member States face an unprecedentent humanitarian crisis. Given the Union’s commitment to human rights protection, its obligation to respect international law, and the dramatic humanitarian situation at and within its borders, the European Union is compelled to act. In response, the European Agenda on Migration was adopted in 2015 with the aim of ‘building up a coherent and comprehensive approach to reap the benefits and address the challenges deriving from migration’ (European Commission, 2015, p. 2). This initiative led to the adoption of several EU policies and agreements with third countries—primarily countries of origin and transit for refugees— intended to better manage asylum and irregular migration flows. This research endeavors to examine
the EU’s capacity to act as a unitary actor in managing the ongoing complex and divisive issue of asylum and irregular migration, focusing on the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement, the expansion of Frontex’s mandate, and the establishment of the EU Asylum Agency. Using the actorness framework as the stepping stone, this study aimed to contribute to the field of EU migration studies, as well as to the broader literature on EU actorness. The main findings of this research reveal several interconnected dynamics in EU migration policy. First, the necessity for policy coherence between the Member States, the EC and EP, differs depending on the initiative, with the EU-Turkey Statement requiring less alignment compared to the EUAA and FRONTEX Regulations. During crises, Member States tend to quickly agree on external solutions, highlighting a preference for externalised crisis management.
Substantial political negotiations and compromises occur between EU institutions and Member States. The timeframe for adopting regulations varies, reflecting both the complexity of internal discussions and the urgency of the circumstances. Political costs and public perception, heavily influenced by media coverage, significantly shape the adoption of measures, while public familiarity with EU policies remains limited. Furthermore, unified action proves beneficial by providing more resources and a coordinated approach, ultimately enhancing stability for all Member States. Lastly,
while the regulations aim to balance border management with human rights protection, their effectiveness and implementation differ. Drawing on a social construction perspective which provides a valuable lens for analysing the evolution of a distinct European modus operandi—often shaped by a blend of incentives and sanctions—in addressing the highly sensitive, provocative, controversial issues surrounding migration and asylum policies. The stakes for the EU are high, as
establishing this European approach is essential for positioning the Union as a cohesive and effective actor, turning one of the most sensitive and intriguing challenges in the EU’s history into a shared narrative. A unique European approach and modus operandi, a united actor as well as a European migration governance are emerging, echoing Jean Monnet's assertion that “Europe will be forged in crises, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises”.