Modern Development of EU Migration Policy and Migration Prospects of Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze the development of migration policy of the European Union, its main directions set out by the European Commission in the draft of new Pact on Migration and Asylum, and assess the impact of European approaches to migration management on migration of population of Ukraine. To achieve it, general scientific methods are used, such as systemic, comparative, structural-functional. The relevance of the study is due to the importance of migration of Ukrainians to the EU for the development of the country, as well as the need to implement the norms and principles of European legislation as a component of European integration of Ukraine. The novelty of the article is to identify current trends in EU migration policy and predict their impact on changes in the volume, direction and characteristics of migration of Ukrainians. It is concluded that the development of the channels of legal migration envisaged by the new Pact, primarily for skilled labor, and strengthening the fight against illegal migration, will encourage Ukrainians to move more orderly to European countries. This, of course, will help to improve working conditions of migrants, ensure their rights, but will increase the risks of turning part of temporary labor migration into permanent one and, consequently, further loss of labor and intellectual potential of the country. At the same time, the European Commission’s proposals to deepen cooperation in the field of migration with neighboring countries open up new opportunities for Ukraine to mitigate the negative effects of migration processes. In particular, it is time to raise once again the issue of concluding agreements with the countries of destination of la bor migrants from Ukraine on the joint use of labor and on social security of migrants. The possibility of support by European partners of programs of promoting the reintegration of returnees is worth discussing. The proposal for a “talent partnership” contains certain prospects for transforming the brain drain from Ukraine to their mutually beneficial circulation. The development of migration management in the EU should be taken into account in order to improve migration policy of Ukraine. In particular, the European experience of a differentiated approach to immigration, promoting the arrival of professionals, students and investors is noteworthy. In order to prevent illegal migration and shadow employment of foreigners, EU developments on procedures for admitting seasonal workers, obtaining a residence permit and permit for employment in one document can be used. European experience in improving the efficiency and timeframe of asylum procedures is also useful. Key words: migration policy, European Union, migration of the population of Ukraine.