From securitisation of migration to aid securitisation? V4 donors and addressing the root causes of migration

Abstract

The 2014–2016 refugee and migrant crisis led to a hardening of stances and consolidation of resistance to migration in the Visegrad Group (V4) countries. Portraying migration as an existential threat to states’ and societies’ security, they took a relentless stance: no migrants from the Middle East and Africa on their territory. At the same time, the V4 countries did not oppose the need for crisis resolution. They supported tackling the root causes of migration, primarily by providing on-the-spot assistance and increasing Official Development Assistance (ODA) transfers. This paper examines the implementation of the ‘root cause’ strategy by V4 donors in the leading countries of origin of asylum-seekers from 2014 to 2016 and in selected transit countries. The analysis tracks how narratives concerning migration have translated into ODA provision (its volume, structure, and delivery channels) and into the use of aid as an instrument serving donors’ interests. The research shows that the V4 response to the crisis was instrumental, limited and selective; despite numerous declarations, the strategy was only partially implemented. Donors were more devoted to externalising migration control and enhancing cooperation with non-EU states than supporting the socio-economic development of countries generating migration pressure.