The Current Situation Concerning Illegal Migration in the Balkans

The research focus of this chapter covers the phenomenon of illegal migration as an asymmetrical threat. It considers the importance of the Balkan region as a transit zone to the countries of the European Union, and presents some of the weakness in the current situation as well as providing indications of possible solutions. The hypothesis is that the lack of a clear and coordinated strategy at the European Union level, in terms of dealing with the problem of illegal migration, affects the situation regarding this phenomenon which has deteriorated and is complicated in every aspect. The increase in the flow of refugees from the Middle East (Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan) and illegal migrants from North Africa will continue to be one of the key problems for the European Union and the transit countries of the Balkans. The Balkans will continue to be affected, primarily as a transit destination for a large number of refugees/migrants who intend to go to Western Europe, but probably some of them will want to stay in some of the countries of the region as asylum seekers. It is expected that this reality will adversely affect the socio-economic and security situation. Because of the involvement of local logistical networks, the increasing number of refugees/migrants will further intensify crime and corruption in the transit countries in the Balkans. The key point of this research is based on the hypothesis that a more significant strategy in dealing with the phenomenon of illegal migration could hardly be carried out without completing the entire geopolitical space of the European continent. Thus, we recommend that the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union has to be an imperative rather than a long-term strategy of Brussels, as it is at present. The research framework of the phenomenon of illegal migration involves using the method of content analysis and a critical review of the way this issue is tackled on a European level.