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Migration Trends in Croatia MIGRATION TRENDS IN CROATIA by Dr. Sandro Knezović and Maja Grošinić Zagreb, 2017 Copyright © Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung Nakladnik: Hanns-Seidel-Stviftung (za nakladnika: dr. Klaus Fiesinger, mr. sc. Aleksandra Markić Boban) Institut za razvoj i međunarodne odnose (za nakladnika: dr. sc. Sanja Tišma) Naklada: 300 primjeraka Tisak: Kolor Klinika, Zagreb 2017. ISBN 978-953-95835-5-0 The opinions, findings, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the Federal Foreign Office of the Republic of Germany. TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. A brief overview of phenomena of migrations ...................................................... 5 2. Croatia and the phenomena of migrations in EU and regional context..................... 7 2.1. EU policy on migrations – achievements and challenges ahead .......................... 7 2.2. Croatia’s policy on immigration – challenges of convergence with the EU .......... 10 2.3. Challenges of regional cooperation ............................................................. 12 3. Immigration to Croatia .................................................................................... 16 3.1. Numbers and statistics.............................................................................. 16 3.2. Institutional set-up................................................................................... 18 3.3. Political impact........................................................................................ 20 3.4. Cultural impact ........................................................................................ 22 3.5. Economic impact...................................................................................... 23 4. Emigration from Croatia .................................................................................. 26 4.1. Numbers and statistics.............................................................................. 26 4.2. Institutional set-up................................................................................... 29 4.3. Political impact........................................................................................ 31 4.4. Cultural impact ........................................................................................ 32 4.5. Economic impact...................................................................................... 33 5. Conclusions.................................................................................................... 35 4 MIGRATION TRENDS IN CROATIA Map of Croatia (Source: http://www.mapsland.com/maps/europe/croatia/large-detailed-political-map-of-croatia-with-roads-cities- and-airports.jpg) A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PHENOMENA OF MIGRATIONS 5 1. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PHENOMENA OF MIGRATIONS The phenomena of migrations is becoming increasingly relevant in the contemporary period. It is acquiring a growing impact on current geographical, demographic, anthropologic, economic, historical, cultural, political and other determinants of nowadays’ life. Hence, it is quite clear that the very issue of migrations represents a multidisciplinary field of research. Every migration includes territorial mobility, however not all of them can be regarded as migrations. This complex phenomenon is obviously a subject to different interpretations, depending on the aspect of it that is taken into consideration. The spatial aspect divides the migration into intra-state and international, but also long-distance and short-distance. Furthermore, the character of migrations is multiplying its complexity over the course of time. As an illustration, contemporary migrations verge from internal and external, voluntary and forced, political and economic, etc. Basically, migrations can be divided into three categories: general, special and combined. The first category provides a very basic concept that encompasses all physical dislocation of humans from one place to the other. Its principal weakness is related to its unselective approach that does not differentiate migrations from other types of spatial movement of humans. Some more detailed general definitions relate migration to permanent changes of residence and affiliation of persons and groups to their new community. The second category highlights the aforementioned multidisciplinary character of the phenomena, viewing the migration through the lenses of different disciplines (demography, economy, culture, politics, security, anthropology, geography…). Depending on the profile, the definitions are focusing on different sets of indicators relevant for their research. The third category offers a combination of general character of migrations with one of its specific determinants. For example, if migration is defined as a permanent movement of persons from one place to another in search for a job or for a security, we are obviously dealing with the combined definition of the phenomena. Taking into account the contemporary dynamics of migration, in particular those that represent a challenge for the Southeast Europe as a region and the EU as such, it seems obvious that combined definition provide the most appropriate framework for this research. Croatia, as a country in the abovementioned region and the southeastern-most EU member state, let alone Greece, represents an interesting case due to the fact that it is a traditional ‘emigration state’ increasingly forced to deal with the issue of immigration in recent period. Apart from that, as the crisis calls for common EU solutions, Croatia has been forced to act responsibly as a new member state, being exposed to the migrant flow and coping with it in a very unpredictable post-conflict environment of Southeast Europe. The fact that the country was being faced with it in the period of pre-election campaign unrevealed the volume of the impact of crisis on political processes in Croatia, and the other way around, at least to a certain extent with regards to the way the crisis was managed at the national level. 6 MIGRATION TRENDS IN CROATIA All of the above calls for the thorough analysis of country’s migration profile and trends that are about to determine the dynamics of societal developments in Croatia and beyond in the forthcoming period. Due to constant changes and need for adaptations to new developments, this analysis should represent an interesting and useful tool for decision-makers. CROATIA AND THE PHENOMENA OF MIGRATIONS IN EU AND REGIONAL CONTEXT 7 2. CROATIA AND THE PHENOMENA OF MIGRATIONS IN EU AND REGIONAL CONTEXT 2.1. EU policy on migrations – achievements and challenges ahead The development of common EU migration policy, including the policy of asylum, actually reflects the pace of the entire process of EU integration and institution-building. The main idea is that the policy to be adopted provides an appropriate structure reflecting diverging reality on the ground in member states and fosters the maximisation of profit from increased partnership between community and national institutions in the implementation period. The aim would be to link more firmly the legal immigration to the community development, increase coordination among EU member states and cooperation with other countries, as well as to strengthen the capacities to combat illegal immigration and related organised- crime activities. So, while there is a clear understanding within its institutions that contemporary challenges seek for a common and comprehensive EU policy, and there is an obvious track record of developments in that direction, the single policy document still does not exist. The issue of solidarity among member states and with those in need for refuge and immigration, as one of basic principles of functional immigration policy (laid down in Article 80 of TFEU) is frequently questioned, especially in times of crisis when member states should take the share of burden of a common policy. That was clearly displayed with the crisis in 2015/2016 when EC quota proposal sparked many tense debates and mutual accusations. Fundamentally, the legal basis for the EU common policy in the field of migrations has been laid down in the Art. 79 and Art. 80 of the Lisbon Treaty. In principle, while there is a tendency of strengthening of competences at the community level, there is still a strong role of individual member states. Per exemple, while the EU has some competences in determining conditions for access and settlement for third-country citizens and may help foster the initiatives and measures undertaken by member states in the field of integration of legal immigrants, the admission rates for immigrants are still determined by member states and the provisions for harmonisation of national legislature in the field of integration are yet to be defined. Actually, the EU has the strongest competences in fighting uncontrolled immigration, in particular in combat against illegal immigration through the means of effective return policy. In that particular field it is authorised to conclude effective readmission agreements with countries of transit or origin. In an attempt to define a balanced approach to the issue of immigration – managing properly legal immigration, fighting against illegal one and co-operating closely at the international level in this field with different actors – the EU has made some visible achievements. In the field of decision-making, the Lisbon Treaty brought in the qualified
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