From London the Mediterranean looks a long way away, but this distance is deceptive. In 2015, 250,000 refugees and migrants have already arrived in Italy and Greece through the Med, Europe's southern border. The effects of this influx of people are being felt throughout the Continent, from Sicily to Calais.

The Mediterranean has also gained geopolitical prominence not just as a key migration route from Africa and the Middle East into Europe, but as a region that has undergone enormous political upheaval and still faces ongoing political instability. From the unravelling of the Libyan state to the rise of Daesh in Iraq and Syria, the Mediterranean has become a key security concern for Europe.

The spread of terrorism and radical ideology on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean, in addition to the pressures of migration, has made European countries increasingly aware of the importance and urgency of ambitious efforts to "fix" the Mediterranean region, to ensure good governance, peace and security.

Angelino Alfano, Italy’s Interior Minister, will evaluate the efforts already underway to manage migration flows and terrorist threats, considering whether a more collective approach is needed to ensure security and prosperity.

Angelino Alfano (@angealfa) has served in the government of Italy as Minister of the Interior since April 2013.

Maurice Fraser is  Head of the European Institute and Professor of Practice in European Politics. 

The LSE European Institute (@LSEEI) was established in 1991 as a dedicated centre for the interdisciplinary study of processes of integration and fragmentation within Europe. In the most recent national Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) the Institute was ranked first for research in its sector. 

Suggested hashtag for this event for Twitter users: #LSEItaly

Podcast

A podcast of this event is available to download from Migration and security challenges in the Mediterranean: every country for itself or a European response?

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