News
Findings of the policy forum "Security and development: how to manage borders?"
September 2016
The migrant crisis and threats to security have placed borders centre stage. Having become an extremely political topic, the public authorities still perceive them in a fragmented way.
"Cross-border issues are now at the top of the political agenda. Borders, which are a daily reality for millions of European citizens, are the focus for populist fears. Even if the current situation makes it necessary to reinstate border controls, the Schengen Area continues to uphold an essential freedom – the freedom of movement – which cannot function without trust between peoples. We now need to re-establish this trust, as it is lacking, and this requires greater cooperation!" It was with these words that Philippe Cordery, MP1 and Vice-President of the MOT, opened the policy forum "Security and development: how to manage borders?" organised by the MOT and Grenoble-Alpes University2 on 7 July in Paris.
Nearly 80 people joined government and European institution officials, regional stakeholders and researchers from all over the world to discuss solutions aimed at reconciling free movement within Europe, increased cooperation regarding security and border controls, and the development of cross-border territories for the benefit of millions of European citizens.
1 Chair of the Border Areas and Workers Group at the Assemblée Nationale
2 Within the framework of an international research project entitled "the Borders in Globalization"
