Migration, EU Citizenship, and Social Europe

The end of the transitional arrangements restricting free movement of European citizens from Bulgaria and Romania on 1 January 2014 has triggered a fierce debate about the aim and purpose of the European Union and has stirred fears of mass ‘poverty’ migration within the EU. Emerging from the debate are various propositions including limiting the number of migrants, repatriating competencies back to national governments, and restricting EU competencies to core areas such as free trade.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Labor Market: Does Germany Benefit from Balkan Immigrants? / Migration debate in Germany http://www.europeansources.info/record/labor-market-does-germany-benefit-from-balkan-immigrants-migration-debate-in-germany/

ESO: Background information: Bitter debate marks lifting of Bulgaria and Romania labour restrictions http://www.europeansources.info/record/bitter-debate-marks-lifting-of-bulgaria-and-romania-labour-restrictions/

ESO: Background information: Cameron to ask Brussels for cap on EU migrants http://www.europeansources.info/record/cameron-to-ask-brussels-for-cap-on-eu-migrants/

ESO: Background information: Free movement: Commission publishes guide on application of ‘Habitual Residence Test’ for social security / EU spells out rules on migrant access to benefits http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-free-movement-commission-publishes-guide-on-application-of-habitual-residence-test-for-social-security-eu-spells-out-rules-on-migrant-access-to-benefits/

Social Europe Journal, 15.01.14: Myth And Reality In The European Migration Debate http://www.social-europe.eu/2014/01/european-migration-debate/

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