European Union and the Migration Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities

The book is devoted to the problems of the migration crisis that hit the European Union in 2015-2016. It presents an analysis of recent developments in Europe, which have made adjustments to the EU's strategies for combating illegal migration and the medium-term economic programmes of the EU member states. The current state, historical background and causes of the migration crisis are considered. Special attention is paid to the situation and problems related to refugees. Positive factors of migration impact on the economic development of the EU member states are characterised. The importance of external migration in the demographic development of EU countries is emphasised. Challenges, risks, threats and negative consequences of the migration crisis for European countries, which threaten the existence of the Schengen zone and the European Union itself, are also characterised.