ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses how recent developments in Mediterranean migratory movements are changing not only the conditions for immigration and security policies of the EU states north of the Mediterranean but also the logics of action of EU decision makers reacting to a changing environment. It will deal with Mediterranean migration as a regional and local phenomenon, as well as considering the perspectives in European policies aiming at controlling and regulating migration movements, refugee flows and illegal migrants trying to reach European shores. Within recent decades new developments have taken place in the Mediterranean regarding migration movements and policy reactions to this important phenomenon, creating complex patterns of continued migration towards Europe, transit migration through southern and eastern Mediterranean states and trans-regional, globalised migration. The complex character of the migration issue entailing a wide range of security aspects raises demands for further theoretical developments aiming at understanding important social phenomena beyond traditional state actors, organisations, institutions, etc.
