27 November 2025
Declaration on Progressive Migration Policy in the Mediterranean
This is the declaration LeftForward and our panelists helped prepare for the party members of the SI Mediterranean Committee, who adopted it on the same day.
Following the exchange of views that took place in the framework of the Socialist International Mediterranean Committee, we declare that to address the challenge of population movements in the region we need to:
- Chart a new course for progressive migration policy—one grounded in solidarity, evidence, and shared prosperity.
- Address migration as an opportunity, and reject externalization policies that undermine fundamental rights without expanding legal options for migrants and refugees.
Our vision
We envision a Mediterranean region where:
- Migration serves development. Rather than treating migration as a security threat, we integrate it into comprehensive development frameworks. We recognize that remittances are development capital. We acknowledge demographic complementarity: Europe faces aging and labor shortages; Africa and the Middle East have youth and talent. This can be a win-win if managed through legal pathways and genuine partnership.
- Origin and transit countries are genuine partners. In contrast with the current EU’s enforcement-focused externalization model, we support responsibility-sharing frameworks that address root causes—conflict, authoritarianism, economic collapse—rather than merely managing flows. It is crucial to coordinate on development, democratic governance, and climate resilience.
- Gender and vulnerability are centered. Migration policy has systematically neglected women, children, and families. We need to invest in women’s economic empowerment and skill recognition, simplify family reunification procedures, and protect migrant women from trafficking and labor exploitation. We recognize that integration begins with education, healthcare, and community-building.
- Regional cooperation should replace fortress mentality. The Mediterranean was historically a bridge. It is important to expand legal labor mobility pathways, to recognize credentials and skills, and to foster South-North partnerships that strengthen rather than exploit transit and origin countries.
- Integration succeeds at the local level. We have learned from communities across our region that deliberate investment in education, housing, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue builds coexistence. We will champion these local successes and use them to counter national-level xenophobia.
The challenge ahead
We face a moment of decision. The far right is ascendant across multiple continents. Authoritarian leaders weaponize migration to advance anti-democratic agendas. And the climate crisis will displace millions more, intensifying pressures on the Mediterranean region.
Yet we also face unprecedented opportunity. We have evidence of what works: legal pathways reduce irregular migration; development investment addresses root causes; local integration succeeds when resourced adequately; and regional cooperation strengthens all parties. We have the intellectual capital, the institutional networks, and the democratic mandate to lead.
We commit to building the political courage to move beyond defensive positioning and offer citizens a compelling vision of inclusive, prosperous, connected Mediterranean societies.
We call on progressive parties across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to join us in this effort. Together, we can restore the Mediterranean as a space of solidarity, shared responsibility and hope.