TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Letter from Director General and Secretary General.................................................

2. Letter from the Chairboard…………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Introduction to European Council………………………………………………………………………..
4. Committee Overview……………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Agenda Breakdown………………………………………………………………………………………………..
-​ A. Migration and Border Management………………………………………………………….
-​ B. Military and Geopolitical Threats………………………………………………………………
-​ C. Border Technologies and Frontex……………………………………………………………..
-​ D. Partnerships with Neighboring Regions…………………………………………………..
-​ E. Humanitarian, Legal, and Ethical Challenges………………………………………….
6. Bloc Positions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
-​ A. Security-Oriented Bloc……………………………………………………………………………….
-​ B. Humanitarian/Values-Based Bloc…………………………………………………………….
-​ C. Pragmatic/Bridge Bloc……………………………………………………………………………….
-​ D. Observer Bloc……………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Key Questions to Consider…………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Past Agreements and Frameworks……………………………………………………………………….
-​ A. Schengen Borders Code & Frontex Regulation…………………………………………
-​ B. EU-Turkey Statement (2016)................................................................................
-​ C. EU-Libya Cooperation (2017–Present)..............................................................
-​ D. Khartoum and Rabat Processes…………………………………………………………………
-​ E. The EU Migration Pact (2020–Ongoing Negotiations)..................................
-​ F. Recent Border Cooperation and Crisis Response (2021–2024).................
9. Suggested Resources……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Letter from Director General

My name is Zeynep Yaren Lüleci, and as the director general of EGALMUN'25, I am proud
to be the organizer of this event and to welcome you to our school for the first time this year.
Mun started to gain a place in my life in the 7th grade. Although the events did not last very
long, they were quality times that I made many memories. Our Academic and Organization
team has done their best to ensure that you have 3 unforgettable days at our school. MUN is
an event that develops you both professionally, socially, and in many ways. Your social and
discussion skills increase, you socialize, you start to get used to professional and formal
environments while making good memories. On the other hand, it raises your awareness and
develops you to look for solutions to big world problems that affect every individual, even if
indirectly. This year at our event, we will discuss how we can achieve Peace on various issues.
We all know that where there is no peace, there is no calm. Wars, Gender inequality, Drug
trafficking, and many other problems are important issues that disturb peace and are often
not addressed. On behalf of my committee staff and myself, I hope this year's conference will
be an inspiring and memorable experience. I wish you the best of luck in your preparations!
 If you have any questions or concerns about EGALMUN or MUN in general, please feel free
to contact me.

You can reach me at @egalmun2025@[Link]

Director General Zeynep Yaren Lülec

Letter from Secretary General

Dear Fellow Delegates, As your secretary general in this event, it is with this pleasure that I
welcome you all to our school. As we are experiencing the enthusiasm of hosting the first
MUN conference in our school this year, we are certain that you all will gain a lot from this
experience by all means. Initially, I would like to express my warm welcome and heartfelt
appreciation for your commitment and work in advance. We have all worked with immense
dedication to make this event unforgettable for you and are expecting the same attention and
meticulousness that our team has shown. These 3 days will be comprehensive 3 days where
you will get to discuss varied international problems which has crucial impacts worldwide.
We aim to find creative and effective solutions to the issues.

Letter From the Chairboard

Dear Delegates,

We are more than happy to see you in this committee. We are looking forward to meeting
you in person, too. We want you to know that this organization is a conference and a great
social activity. We, the chairboard, Chair being Emir Buğra Kılıç and the Co-Chair being
Ceren Ezgi Kahraman, worked very hard for you to have a great experience. We hope you
enjoy it as much as we do. Take care, see you on April 25-26-27!

Chairboard

Emir Buğra Kılıç, Ceren Ezgi Kahraman

Introduction to the European Council

The European Council is one of the most important institutions of the European Union,
responsible for defining its overall political direction and priorities. Composed of the Heads
of State or Government of all 27 EU member states, the European Council plays a central
role in shaping EU policies on a broad range of issues, from internal matters such as
economic coordination to external challenges like foreign policy and security.
While it does not have legislative power, the European Council sets the strategic agenda for
the EU by guiding and coordinating actions among member states. It meets at least four
times a year and is presided over by a permanent president, who serves a
two-and-a-half-year term. The European Council's decisions often serve as the basis for
subsequent EU legislation and actions, making it a critical body in driving the EU’s policies
forward.

In recent years, one of the most pressing issues on the European Council’s agenda has been
border security, not just within the EU’s internal borders but also in securing the EU's
external borders. With a rising tide of irregular migration, terrorism threats, and growing
geopolitical tensions on the EU’s periphery, border protection beyond the EU’s territorial
limits has become a key area of focus. This issue includes physical security measures and
tackling the complex dynamics of migration, cross-border terrorism, and international
cooperation.

Committee Overview

The European Council is the highest political body within the institutional framework of the
European Union. Unlike the Council of the European Union (also known as the Council of
Ministers), which deals with legislation, the European Council’s primary role is to define the
EU’s overall political direction and priorities. It does not pass laws but sets the strategic
agenda and provides guidance for other EU institutions and member states to follow.

The European Council is composed of:

-​ The Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU member states

-​ The President of the European Council

-​ The President of the European Commission

-​ (The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also participates
when relevant)

The Council meets in summits several times a year in Brussels, and decisions are typically
made by consensus, although specific issues may require unanimity or qualified majority
voting, depending on the treaty provisions.

In the real world, the European Council plays a decisive role during times of crisis. It sets the
tone for common EU responses to external challenges such as migration flows, conflicts at
the EU’s borders, cybersecurity threats, and geopolitical tensions. It also provides political
momentum for the development of external action mechanisms such as Common Security
and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and the expansion of EU partnerships with neighboring
states.
In this Model European Council simulation, delegates will step into the roles of national
leaders and work to craft a cohesive, high-level political response to issues of border security
beyond the EU’s borders. Unlike parliamentary or legislative MUN committees, this council
focuses more on political negotiation, agenda-setting, and leadership. Delegates should aim
to build consensus rather than pass resolutions, mirroring the real functioning of the body.

The outcome of the committee may take the form of a joint declaration, a communiqué, or a
strategic direction document, summarizing the key priorities and agreements reached
through diplomatic dialogue.

Agenda Breakdown: Security and Border Protection Within and

Beyond European Union Borders

In 2025, the European Union is pivotal in its approach to external security and border
protection. The global landscape has become increasingly unstable, with protracted conflicts,
mass displacement, and the resurgence of authoritarian influence directly impacting
Europe’s periphery. This agenda invites delegates to examine how the EU can enhance its
security posture not just at its borders but well beyond them—through strategic diplomacy,
coordinated defense policies, and sustainable migration partnerships.

1. Migration and Border Management

The EU continues to face sustained migratory pressure, particularly from North Africa, the
Sahel, and Central Asia, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, climate-related displacement, and
economic collapse. In 2025, the aftermath of the Sudan civil conflict, the deepening crisis in
Libya, and Taliban consolidation in Afghanistan have reignited major migration routes. The
Central Mediterranean route has seen a 30% increase in crossings compared to 2024, and
the Eastern Route—via Belarus and Russia—has once again been weaponized as a tool of
hybrid warfare.

The EU’s migration compacts with Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt have been scrutinized due to
human rights concerns, prompting calls for a more values-based approach. Meanwhile, the
newly updated EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, passed in late 2024, has sparked internal
debate about responsibility-sharing and border enforcement. The central question remains:
How can the EU protect its borders while ensuring dignity, legal access, and solidarity
among member states?

2. Military and Geopolitical Threats

Europe’s security is deeply shaped by the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has entered its third
year with no clear resolution. The EU has significantly increased defense funding and
support for Kyiv. Still, questions persist about long-term strategy, reconstruction, and
managing spillover effects, especially in Moldova, the Baltic states, and the Black Sea region.
In addition, rising tensions in the Middle East, especially following the re-escalation of
conflict between Israel and Iran-backed groups in Lebanon and Syria, have raised fears of
another refugee wave and terrorist resurgence. China's growing influence through strategic
investments in Balkan and African infrastructure has also triggered concerns over external
influence at the EU’s doorstep.

Internally, the 2025 European Council has prioritized strengthening the European Defence
Fund, deepening cooperation with NATO, and discussing the controversial proposal for a
joint EU border intervention force with extra-territorial capabilities. The geopolitical stakes
are high: the EU must define its role as a global actor while securing its neighborhoods.

3. Border Technologies and Frontex

In 2025, Frontex continues to expand its reach through operational partnerships outside EU
borders, including Serbia, Moldova, and North Macedonia, where it now assists in external
surveillance and returns. The introduction of AI-assisted border monitoring, including
drones and predictive migration mapping, has improved rapid response, but not without
controversy.

New reports from the European Ombudsman and Amnesty International in early 2025 have
criticized Frontex for a lack of transparency and involvement in indirect refoulement. The
European Parliament is currently debating reforms to increase oversight, particularly over
third-world country operations.

At the same time, smart border infrastructure at EU air and land crossings is expanding
under the Entry/Exit System (EES), which has faced delays and cyber vulnerabilities.
Delegates must consider: should Frontex be given a stronger mandate beyond the EU, or is
its expansion incompatible with EU values?

4. Partnerships with Neighboring Regions

The EU’s external border security strategy relies heavily on cooperation with its immediate
neighbors. In 2025, the situation in the Western Balkans is increasingly volatile, with
renewed tensions in Kosovo-Serbia relations and growing Russian influence in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Enlargement talks with Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia have intensified,
adding urgency to border cooperation in those regions.

Further south, the EU has expanded funding for the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa,
targeting migration control in Niger, Chad, and Ethiopia, despite criticism that it prioritizes
containment over development. There is growing pressure to reassess deals that outsource
EU border policy to authoritarian or unstable partners.

The EU Global Gateway initiative, launched to counter China’s Belt and Road, is now being
repurposed to support secure corridors and legal migration pathways. Delegates must assess
whether these partnerships promote long-term stability or entrench dependency.
5. Humanitarian, Legal, and Ethical Challenges

With security taking priority, 2025 has seen a sharp increase in legal and humanitarian
tensions within the EU border policy. Human rights groups have raised alarm over
pushbacks in the Aegean Sea and the Polish-Belarusian border, calling for greater EU
accountability. Recent litigation at the European Court of Human Rights against several
member states has reignited debates over asylum law, detention practices, and EU
responsibility in third-country deals.

Furthermore, the deployment of surveillance technologies such as facial recognition,

predictive risk profiling, and biometric screening has raised concerns over racial
discrimination and data privacy. Delegates must debate where the line is drawn between
effective security and the erosion of civil liberties.

Finally, public sentiment across Europe is divided—populist parties are gaining ground in
several member states, pushing hardline migration narratives that conflict with the EU’s
foundational values. As guardians of these values, delegates must explore how to navigate
this political divide while crafting a balanced, future-ready border protection strategy.

Bloc Positions

1. Security-Oriented Bloc

Countries: Poland, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia,
Bulgaria

These countries emphasize national security and border enforcement, often advocating for
stricter controls, increased Frontex powers, and externalized migration management. They
support EU cooperation but prioritize sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in light
of Russia’s continued aggression and instability in neighboring regions.

Members of this bloc generally push for:

-​ More robust external operations (e.g., in the Balkans, North Africa)

-​ Increased funding for physical barriers, border tech, and Frontex

-​ Partnerships with non-EU countries to stem irregular migration

-​ Stricter asylum procedures and faster returns

They are more skeptical about humanitarian-centered migration policies and emphasize
deterrence over integration.

2. Humanitarian/Values-Based Bloc
Countries: Germany, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Luxembourg,
Finland, Belgium

These countries balance border protection with human rights obligations and emphasize the
importance of legal migration channels, solidarity, and values-based foreign policy. They
tend to criticize harsh migration deals with third countries that lack transparency or ethical
safeguards.

Policy preferences include:

-​ Reform Frontex with greater transparency and oversight

-​ Providing safe, legal paths for migration and asylum

-​ Offering development aid over containment-focused partnerships

-​ Ensuring humanitarian standards in external operations

They advocate a cohesive EU-wide approach but resist the blanket securitization of border
challenges.

3. Pragmatic/Bridge Bloc

Countries: Austria, Denmark, Croatia, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Malta

This bloc often takes a case-by-case or pragmatic stance, aligning selectively with either of
the other blocs. While they acknowledge the need for security, especially in migration transit
zones, they also value internal EU cohesion and are open to humanitarian considerations
when practical.

Their policy outlook often includes:

-​ Controlled, regulated migration cooperation with external partners

-​ Emphasis on burden-sharing among EU states

-​ Conditional support for Frontex operations, depending on accountability

-​ Desire to balance public opinion and political stability at home

They may act as mediators between the two more polarized blocs and are key swing voices in
negotiations.

4. Observer Bloc

Countries: Türkiye, Georgia, Ukraine

The Observer Bloc represents states on the periphery of the European Union that maintain
strategic partnerships with the EU, particularly in areas of border management, migration
control, and regional security. These countries seek closer alignment with EU standards and
policies while also addressing their domestic challenges and geopolitical pressures.

-​ Türkiye acts as a key transit and buffer zone for migration flows from the Middle East
and Asia and plays a crucial role in regional stability and EU border cooperation,
though its relations with the EU remain complex and sometimes tense.

-​ Ukraine, facing an ongoing conflict with Russia, looks to the EU for military, political,
and humanitarian support, and sees deeper integration as a path toward regional
security and post-war rebuilding.

-​ Georgia remains committed to its Euro-Atlantic orientation and seeks cooperation on

border security, migration management, and countering hybrid threats.

This bloc emphasizes strategic partnership, sovereignty, and a shared goal of enhanced
integration and security collaboration, while still advocating for their unique regional needs.

Key Questions to Consider

1) What role should the European Union play in border protection beyond its territory?

-​ Should the EU take a more proactive, external approach, or focus solely on

strengthening its internal borders?

-​ What limits (legal, ethical, or geographical) should exist on EU operations outside its
borders?

2) How can the EU balance security with human rights and international law?

-​ Are current agreements with third countries (e.g., Libya, Tunisia) in line with EU
values?

-​ How can the EU avoid complicity in human rights violations while still managing
migration flows?

3) What should be the future of Frontex and its mandate?

-​ Should Frontex’s authority and funding be increased, or should oversight and

accountability be strengthened first?

-​ Is Frontex’s expanding role beyond EU borders a threat to state sovereignty or a

necessary step in collective security?

4) How should the EU address hybrid threats at its external borders?

 -​ How can the EU effectively counter state-sponsored migration pressure (e.g., from
Belarus or Russia)?

-​ What tools (cybersecurity, information warfare, regional alliances) should be

prioritized?

5) What role should military and defense cooperation play in EU border security?

-​ Should the EU consider a more formalized defense presence near external borders or
continue relying on NATO?

-​ How should the EU manage its security cooperation with non-member neighbors?

6) How can migration be managed sustainably and fairly among EU Member States?

-​ Should border-heavy states continue to bear the brunt of asylum processing?

-​ Is the mandatory relocation of asylum seekers a viable policy?

7) Should the EU reframe its relationship with unstable regions near its borders?

-​ Should migration deals include economic investment, legal mobility, and

capacity-building, or remain focused on containment?

-​ What kind of partnerships with African and Middle Eastern countries can offer
long-term stability?

8) How can technology be ethically integrated into border management?

-​ What are the implications of using AI, biometric data, and drones at external
borders?

-​ How can the EU prevent discrimination and ensure data protection?

Past Agreements and Frameworks

The European Union’s approach to security and border protection beyond its territory has
evolved significantly over the years, driven by shifting migration flows, global instability, and
security concerns. The EU has engaged in internal institutional reforms and external
partnerships to safeguard its borders, often balancing security interests and its commitment
to human rights and international law. Below are some of the most influential frameworks
and agreements shaping the EU’s external border policies.

1. Schengen Borders Code & Frontex Regulation

The Schengen Borders Code, originally established to guarantee free movement across much
of Europe, also sets responsibilities for external border control by Member States. However,
the increased complexity of migration and security threats, especially post-2015, necessitated
the creation of a stronger, unified border agency.

The transformation of Frontex into the European Border and Coast Guard Agency marked a
significant shift. Through the 2019 Frontex Regulation, the EU expanded the agency’s
capabilities, allowing it to:

-​ Deploy border guards and technical equipment across Member States

-​ Operate beyond EU borders in cooperation with non-EU countries

-​ Assist in return operations and carry out risk analysis missions

The agency now plays a crucial role in EU-wide responses to border crises. However, it has
also been at the center of controversies over alleged human rights violations and the lack of
transparency in its operations, prompting calls for stronger institutional oversight.

2. EU-Turkey Statement (2016)

The EU-Turkey Statement is perhaps the most referenced migration agreement of the past
decade. Signed in response to the 2015 refugee crisis, it was designed to stem the flow of
migrants and asylum seekers crossing from Turkey into Greece.

Under the deal:

-​ Irregular migrants arriving in Greece were to be returned to Turkey.

-​ For every Syrian returned, one Syrian refugee would be legally resettled from Turkey
to the EU.

-​ The EU pledged €6 billion in funding for refugees hosted in Turkey.

While the agreement sharply reduced crossings in the Aegean, it has been heavily criticized
for creating a legal grey zone regarding asylum rights and for overburdening Greek border
facilities. Critics argue that it undermined the EU’s humanitarian obligations in favor of
externalizing migration control.

3. EU-Libya Cooperation (2017–Present)

The EU’s cooperation with Libya began in earnest in 2017, aimed at reducing the number of
migrants crossing the Central Mediterranean. This cooperation includes training and
equipping the Libyan Coast Guard, which intercepts boats at sea and returns migrants to
Libyan territory.
Although this partnership has helped reduce arrivals in southern Europe, it has sparked deep
ethical and legal concerns. Reports by the UN and various NGOs have documented
widespread abuse, torture, and exploitation in Libyan detention centers, often with migrants
being held indefinitely in inhumane conditions.

The cooperation continues to be seen as a pragmatic but controversial strategy, focusing on

results while risking the EU’s moral credibility and commitment to international refugee law.

4. Khartoum and Rabat Processes

The Khartoum Process (launched in 2014) and the Rabat Process (launched in 2006) are
frameworks for dialogue and cooperation between the EU and African countries on issues of
migration, human trafficking, and border security.

These processes aim to:

-​ Address the root causes of irregular migration

-​ Build capacity in African states for border management

-​ Promote voluntary return and reintegration programs

However, critics argue that these frameworks often prioritize the EU’s containment agenda
over meaningful development or human rights improvements in partner countries. The
involvement of authoritarian regimes in these dialogues has also raised concerns about the
ethics of cooperation.

5. The EU Migration Pact (2020–Ongoing Negotiations)

In 2020, the European Commission introduced the New Pact on Migration and Asylum as a
way to modernize and unify EU policy. The pact proposes:

-​ Pre-entry screening for all third-country nationals

-​ A common asylum procedure at the EU level

-​ A flexible solidarity mechanism, allowing states to choose between hosting asylum

seekers or supporting other Member States

Though still under negotiation as of 2025, the pact is central to ongoing debates about
burden-sharing, external partnerships, and border security. It also outlines strategies for
deepened cooperation with third countries, signaling a more assertive EU role beyond its
borders in managing migration.

6. Recent Border Cooperation and Crisis Response (2021–2024)

Recent events have further shaped the EU’s external border strategies:
 -​ Belarus Border Crisis (2021–2022): Belarus was accused of orchestrating a hybrid
attack by funneling migrants to EU borders as political retaliation. The EU responded
with emergency funding, sanctions, and reinforcement of border infrastructure in
countries like Poland and Lithuania.

-​ Russia-Ukraine War (2022–Present): The war led to the largest refugee movement in
Europe since World War II. The EU activated the Temporary Protection Directive,
granting displaced Ukrainians the right to live and work in the EU. This marked a
unified and humanitarian response, but also tested EU capacities.

-​ Tunisia Migration Deal (2023): Modeled after the EU-Turkey Statement, this deal
offered financial assistance and investment in exchange for efforts to stop irregular
departures from North Africa. While pragmatic, it reignited debates about
transparency, conditionality, and long-term effectiveness.

Suggested Resources

European Council Website: [Link]

European Commission – Migration and Home Affairs: [Link]

Frontex – European Border and Coast Guard Agency: [Link]

UNHCR: The UN Refugee Agency – EU and Asylum: [Link]

IOM: International Organization for Migration – Regional EU Programs:

[Link]

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) – Key Judgements: [Link]

Politico Europe – Migration and Border Policy Section: [Link]

Euronews & Deutsche Welle (DW): [Link] / [Link]