Externalisation of EU Borders through Cooperation with Libya: Italy as a Gateway to the European Dream

Abstract

This article argues that cooperation between Italy and Libya with eu support, have accelerated and deepened especially after the migration crisis in 2015. The introduction of Italy–Libya Memoran-dum of Understanding (2017) to cope with the challenge of irregular migration has externalized the eu’s borders and contributed to transformation of the Mediterranean Sea into limes. Th e concep-tual and analytical framework of the article is based on territorial implications of Europeanisation of migration and particularly the concept of limes which refers to drawing a line to maintain a dis-tinction between stability and order within and disorder outside (Walters 2004). The article focuses on Italy, which is one of the countries most affected by the crisis as it is located on the eu’s external Mediterranean border. The study draws on semi-structured, in-depth, face-to-face interviews conducted in Italy in the first half of 2019 with the members of the Chamber of Deputies from various political parties, sea rescue ngo representatives in Italy, a representative from unhcr Italy, and a mayor from southern Italy. The interviews reveal various metaphors and narratives such as ‘Italy has been left alone’ because of solidarity crisis in the eu and ‘Italy as a gateway to Europe’ for analysing Italy’s role in exter-nalizing eu borders and migration management through cooperation with Libya. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.