For five years our European politicians have mismanaged the cooperation on migration and asylum to the extent that it has thrown the continent into political crisis and provoked a humanitarian crisis at our borders. The response to women, men and children seeking protection or opportunity in Europe has been teargas, rubber bullets, barbed wire, floating fences or push backs to abuse, violence and even death.

In the process Europe has damaged or lost its ability to cooperate internally and its credibility and trust internationally. The European Pact on Asylum and Migration is the opportunity to exchange panic, randomness and cynicism with reason, structured alternatives and respect for human rights.