Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research International Relations Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 79-91)

ABSTRACT
The greatest border security threats to EU Member States have been irregular
migration and asylum. As civil wars, disasters, and instability have increased in Africa,
the Middle East, and other parts of the world, migration has reached its peak, forcing
people to migrate uncontrollably across Europe's borders. This massive influx of
people crossing into the EU is causing an unprecedented crisis that has largely
engulfed EU Member States. With thousands of migrants entering the European
Union, the implementation of migration and border security policies has been
problematic. These problems have caused an unprecedented economic catastrophe and
have been impacted in a variety of ways. This has led to the formation of Frontex and
other EU agencies responsible for border management. Therefore, the focus of this
research is to critically examine irregular migration and asylum crossing the European
Union using a case study of migration from Africa to Europe (2014-2022).
Specifically, this case study assesses the Mediterranean routes through which irregular
migrants enter Europe, as well as data on deaths and missing migrants. The overall
study is more qualitative and to some extent quantitative in its approach. It draws
primary data obtained from Communications, EU Directives, the EU Commission,
Frontex, and policy makers in the EU Parliament. In my secondary research design, I
used a document analysis method. The research findings show that the EU migration
and asylum crises have made the Member States prone to various security threats,
including migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and other border-related crimes. The
study concludes with key EU policy recommendations intended to boost cooperation
for securing Europe’s external borders.
Keywords: Africa, Border Security, Death and Disappearance, European Union,
Irregular Migration, Mediterranean Routes