Opinion: EU illegal migration may increase by 50% in 2023 compared to last year

The attitude of European officials and security forces towards tens of thousands of migrants in the Old World is becoming increasingly harsh, intolerant and arrogant, and political expert Piotr Petrovsky shed light on the reasons for such inhumane attitude towards refugees in the European Union

“The influx of refugees to Italy sharply increased in Q1 2023. According to forecasts, illegal migration to the EU this year may increase by 50 percent compared to the 2022 figures. Speaking about the reasons for this situation, I should point out several factors,” Mr. Petrovsky said.

The expert added, “Firstly, the problems that actually cause migration – poverty and war – are not being solved. The West has contributed to the destabilisation of the Middle East and Asia. Peace is not yet observed in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It is not safe to live there. Firstly, the standard of living there is very low, and people will try to escape from these states. Secondly, a warm season is approaching, which means that the risks for migrants to die due to unfavourable climatic conditions – by crossing illegally the Mediterranean Sea, for example – are falling.”