The European Commission has argued that preventing irregular migrant arrivals to Europe is far cheaper than funding subsequent deportations.
The remarks, delivered by a senior commission official on Monday (26 January), came amid a backdrop of reports of hundreds likely drowning in the Mediterranean over recent weeks.
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Nikolaj joined EUobserver in 2012 and covers home affairs. He is originally from Denmark, but spent much of his life in France and in Belgium. He was awarded the King Baudouin Foundation grant for investigative journalism in 2010.
Nikolaj joined EUobserver in 2012 and covers home affairs. He is originally from Denmark, but spent much of his life in France and in Belgium. He was awarded the King Baudouin Foundation grant for investigative journalism in 2010.