The Hotspot Paradox: A Fragmented Responsibility-sharing
PhD candidate at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. The author’s PhD thesis is funded via a programme of State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) through the Action entitled ‘Strengthening Human Resources Research Potential via Doctorate Research’ by funds from the Operational Programme ‘Human Resources Development Program, Education and Lifelong Learning’ of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) 2014-2020 co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund - ESF) and the Greek State. Also, the author is research assistant at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)
Is the EU becoming more united or more fragmented while implementing the hotspot approach? To answer this question this paper tries to analyse the hotspot model, which was introduced with the European Agenda on Migration as an immediate response to manage irregular migration and provide operational support to the frontline countries in a spirit of solidarity. After referring to the context within which it was created and the framework within which it functions, this paper explores its implementation in Italy and Greece. Drawing from these hotspot operations, various political, legal, organisational, ethical and practical considerations emerge that question not only the efficiency of this ad hoc measure but also its actual ability to strengthen EU solidarity. In this context, this paper argues that the hotspot approach as a policy measure provokes fragmentation and therefore disunity among the EU Member States, signalising a policy paradox.
