In opposing new migrants, Europe is forgetting its own past

For many centuries, Europe was a continent plagued by wars, famines and poverty. Today, the European Union is one of the richest economic regions in the world. Europe’s own misery and migration has become a distant (if not entirely forgotten) memory. The European Union, many of whose members have the world’s largest and best-equipped welfare systems, appears to be overwhelmed by it – politically, morally and administratively. There are three distinct causes of the current migration to Europe: the Western Balkans’ continuing economic malaise; the turmoil in the greater Middle East; and Africa’s civil wars and conflicts. In other words, all of the migration that Europe currently faces is rooted in grave crises in its own neighborhood. Here, the European Union has considerable influence. Continuing discrimination against them constitutes a Europe-wide scandal, and the European Union, its member states, and candidate countries need to address it.

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