Is Europe willing to enforce stability in the Middle East?

While thousands of refugees have migrated from the Middle East, Europe continues to lack a clear policy on tackling the massive influx of refugees. It is reported that around four million refugees have left Syria and a significant number of them have migrated to Europe.

With Germany initially showing a welcoming attitude to the refugees, which was thought as a misconceived policy by several other European countries, refugees have certainly felt encouraged. The European difference of opinion in managing the influx of refugees is already evident by the fact that a few countries have closed their borders and subjected the entrance of people to severe scrutiny. Certainly, this is a setback for the European unity and the aspirations of several European countries to shed historical animosity between by removing cross-border restrictions.

Once these refugees enter Europe, in all probability, they may not go back and have to be integrated into the mainstream of society. This poses many social problems in the short and long-term, as the lifestyle, skill level and employability of these refugees are different from the prevailing level in the host country. In addition, religious conflicts may strike with disastrous consequences and long-term destabilising effects.

It is surprising that though several European governments are aware of such uncertainties, and are concerned, they could not look for a long lasting solution. The main issue is that when thousands of refugees come unarmed and determined to cross the border, it is extremely difficult to physically stop them. Migration is not like war, where enemies enter the territory forcibly. These are unarmed and suffering people and therefore, any civilised country has to view them with a humanitarian attitude.

Obviously, the only solution for this problem is for Europe to establish stability in the destabilised regions, from where the refugees come. By doing so, the people may find it satisfying to stay in their own countries. But how can you achieve this and more importantly, do the European countries have the necessary will and ability to enforce peace and stability in these disturbed regions?

— The reader is an Indian founder trustee of an NGO based in Chennai, India