The Control of Migration Flows in the Central Mediterranean Sea: Insights from Recent Italian Practice

Abstract

With this contribution, we underline some of the different problems that the recent Italian practice related to the control of migration flows by sea may raise. We examine the closed-ports strategy and the problems connected to the choice to cooperate with third countries in order to stop migration flows arriving by sea. A specific insight will be dedicated to the responsibility for failed rescue operations at high sea in the light of the recent practice. Furthermore, the examination of some recent developments will make it possible to verify if a real shift in Italian migration policy has been enacted. Finally, the paper will end with a brief consideration of the cooperation framework that needs to be developed at the EU level in order to improve the management of migration flows arriving by sea to Italy and other European countries.