In an interview given to Lusa on the sidelines of his participation in Foro La Toja, in Galicia, Spain, the rector emeritus of the Central European University of Vienna considers that the “only solution” is that of the 27 countries. [da UE] ” agree on a common migration system, with common rules, even on internal mobility [de migrantes] do not work”.

“We also need greater border protection and very strong control of illegal emigration, as well as a system of legal entry into countries. Every year, everyone must say how many migrants they can accommodate, so that they can enter legally and benefit from social services. How is this done in an EU where some countries refuse migrants? This is why I argue that the EU must be based on a majority vote, rather than on unanimity,” argued the professor of Canadian origin.

On the other hand, the intellectual also defends the need to create criteria for welcoming migrants: “Say, for example, that countries cannot refuse migrants on the basis of race or religion. This are questions that have nothing to do with the subject.”

“I consider this to be Europe’s greatest challenge in the 21st century. They [migrantes] they are coming, they continue to arrive,” he warned.

Ignatieff also points out that “Europe’s population is aging and businesses are desperately short of workers.”

For now, he says, the EU’s management of migrants “is a terrible mess.”

“I think there is no real asylum or migration policy in Europe. We are trying to push control towards African countries – Morocco, Libya… But the States are weak, it’s very difficult to control,” he stressed.

The 5th edition of Foro La Toja took place between Thursday and Saturday on the island of La Toja, Spain.

The meeting, which presents itself as a reference in terms of intellectual and academic debate, this year had the theme “A more uncertain world”.

The forum brings together economic, political and social leaders to reflect on the most influential voices in these sectors on both sides of the Atlantic.