607 Ricard Zapata-Barrero The external dimension of migration policy in the Mediterranean region: premises for normative debate European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). On this point, Rodier71 has pointed out that while the action plans should reflect the interests of both parties, this has not been the case when it comes to migration. The EU focuses solely on its own interests, which include measures to restrict unwanted migration flows, and only accepts highly qualified migrants as labour. Many countries that cooperate with the EU are obliged (through the so-called “principle of conditionality”) to develop a management system for the prevention or stoppage of migration flows.72 Based on this observation, S. Wolff73 argues that the ENP is basically a policy that establishes a “trade-off system”, whereby the EU grants partner countries access to its internal market and EU programmes in return for compliance with its requests, which are always aimed at ensuring security in the region for the benefit of the EU.74 Therefore, if the action plans include conditionality clauses and put the interests of the EU above those of its neighbouring countries, there is reason to question how equality and dialogue are implemented by the EU. Lavenex and Uçarer75 go a step further and argue that the restrictive migration policies and conditionality clauses that the EU uses in its agreements with other countries may actually damage its image in the outside world. Europe’s integrity will be severely compromised if it continues to act solely in its own interests, instead of implementing mechanisms to assist countries in need. Clearly, there is a contradiction between the sovereignty of states when selecting migrants seeking to enter their territories, and the developed countries’ responsibility towards developing nations in the context of human rights. On this point, Dover76 has pointed out that some aspects of the EU’s approach to migration contradict the Declaration of Human Rights and the Treaty on European Union (which follow the declarations of the United Nations). In accordance with international declarations, the EU must help persons in their regions of origin or grant them access to the EU Member States. By placing government responsibility on the state where the risk originates, the EU is neglecting its responsibility towards third countries and missing out on the opportunity to import much-needed immigrant workers. One example of a transfer of responsibility and, incidentally, the externalisation of policy, is the case of readmission agreements. 71 RODIER, Clair, op cit., 2006 72 LINDSTRÖM, Channe, op cit., 2005, 587-605 and RODIER, Clair, op cit., 2006. 73 WOLFF, Sarah, op cit., 2008, pp. 253-271 74 WOLFF, Sarah. and ZAPATA-BARRERO, Ricard, “Border Management: Impacting on the cons-truction of the EU as a polity?” in S. WOLFF, F.A.N.J. GOUDAPPEL & J. W. de Zwaan (Eds.), Free-dom, Security and Justice after Lisbon and Stockholm. The Hague, T.M.C Asser Press, 2011, pp. 117-134. 75 LAVENEX, Sandra and UÇARER, Emek, op cit., 2004, pp. 417-443 76 DOVER, Robert, op cit., 2008, pp. 113-130.
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