Balkan route and the European Union: migration, artificial intelligence and the paradox of enlargement

The Balkan Route, sensitive to geopolitical dynamics, has undergone significant changes since the 2010s, influenced by conflicts, crises, and European political responses. The growing use of advanced border control technologies, such as artificial intelligence introduced by institutions like Frontex, raises questions about human rights and the safety of migrants. Within the context of the EU's enlargement to the Western Balkans, a complex dynamic emerges: migrants in transit to Europe and Balkan countries in transit toward EU membership. The tools used to manage security and migration flows, if improperly applied, risk undermining the protection of migrants’ rights, challenging the balance between control and the safeguarding of fundamental human rights.

An analysis by Federico Morra