Carlos Cuerpo, the Spanish Economy Minister, told Euronews that despite the fact that the discussion surrounding migration is dominated by “false narratives” that keep the public’s perspective detached from reality, migration nevertheless presents an economic opportunity for the European Union.
When asked if there is a racist undertone to the migration discussion, he said to Euronews’ 12 Minutes In certain instances, it does, and data rather than political rhetoric should be used to counter this.
Spain’s economy is projected to grow 2.9% this year, more than three times the combined growth rates of Germany, France, and Italy. Spain’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the eurozone.
For the EU, which is dealing with an aging population and labor shortages in addition to political opposition from organizations calling for more regulations to stop irregular migration, migration has turned into a poisonous topic.
Conservative and far-right parties are also advocating for tighter oversight of asylum and family reunion claims, as well as quicker repatriations for anyone who is not legally permitted to be in the EU.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission and a member of both the German CDU and the European People’s Party, stated earlier this week that only Europeans should “decide who comes to Europe and crosses our borders, and under what circumstances.” She added that the EU would implement a new system of punishment for human trafficking.
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