Multidimensional drivers and fragmented journeys: the challenge for the EU of external partnerships on migration

Migratory drivers in ‘countries of origin and transit’ are multidimensional and usually operate in complex ways, challenging the European ambition to target the ‘root causes of migration’ in departure and host countries in order to alleviate migratory pressure on the EU. Moreover, mixed migration journeys reaching the EU are dynamic, non-linear and fragmented processes unfolding across different contexts connecting countries of departure to the EU. Currently, the EU aims at an integrated approach crossing different policy portfolios, but its bilateral partnerships with departure and host countries (not limited to migration-related measures) would benefit from an assessment of the fragmented nature of migratory trajectories and drivers.