In Between the Domestic and the Supranational: Explaining the Lack of Harmonization of EU Labor Immigration Policy

There are many attempts coming from EU institutions aiming at harmonizing EU labor immigration policy. These efforts have faced many blockages from EU member states and a common labor immigration policy does not exist. The main question this thesis attempts to answer is why there is no common economic immigration policy at EU level in spite of the benefits this could bring. The main hypothesis is that member states are the key players in deciding whether a policy will be harmonized at the EU level or whether it will remain under the sovereignty of national executives. This study discusses important aspects of labor immigration policy at the member states? domestic sphere and at EU level. As the thesis aims to disclose the role of EU member states in the harmonization process of labor immigration policy, a Liberal Intergovernmentalist framework analysis is employed. This thesis concludes that it is EU member states who are the main actors driving the EU integration process. There is a great diversity across states on labor immigration policy and the importance labor immigration poses for EU members, as yet they have not agreed upon a common policy.

Erisa LAME is a young researcher focusing her research work in International Relations and European Studies with a special emphasis in the Balkans region where she has been studying and working recently. She finished the University studies at the American College of Thessaloniki receiving the Bachelor of Arts with Honors in ?History and International Relations? holding a double concentration in International Relations and in Balkan / European Studies. Afterwards she received her MA Degree with Merit in International Relations and European Studies from the Central European University (CEU) in Budapest. Currently she works as an Expert for European Union Integration and Foreign Aid for the Albanian Ministry of Tourism, Culture Youth and Sports.