THE BORDERS OF EUROPE GEOGRPHY AND IMMIGRATION

Defining the limits of Europe has always been a contentious issue and the debate over its borders has become more and more heated since the latest enlargement wave of the EU eastwards and the beginning of accession talks with Turkey. The definition of Europe's borders is still an open question shadowed by geographical and cultural cleavages and biases and there seems no cultural consensus across Europe on this critical issue. This essay analyzes the possible definitions of the borders of Europe by giving a particular reference to the problem of (illegal) immigration. In this respect the classical geographic and cultural definitions are discussed respectively and on this basis the author offers in the concluding section some policy solutions to the question of drawing the borderline of Europe in a way that enables the Union to engage in a well-working relationship with its near abroad, manifest in the rejection of any idea of Fortress Europe and a welcoming immigration policy. In conclusion the essay finds the geographical definition much more applicable and practical in defining the limits of Europe at the expense of the cultural definition despite its some obvious shortcomings.