When migration collides with geopolitics, Europe finds itself at the centre of global turbulence. In this episode, Emmanuel Comte speaks with European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas to explore how the EU has confronted major migration crises—from the war in Syria and the displacement from Ukraine to high-stakes tensions with Belarus and Turkey. Offering exclusive insights from inside the Commission, Schinas explains the political struggles behind EU migration policy and outlines the ambitions of the new Migration Pact to reshape Europe’s approach for the future.Get the enhanced episode transcript here 👉🏻 https://www.emmanuel-comte.eu/product/enhanced-transcript-23/.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gkOhg8Mo_TUThis interview was arranged by Xenia Saratsioti and edited by Andriana Lagoudes. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No 101034403.00:00 Introduction02:22 Career Origins: The Road to Migration Policy07:13 Europe’s Fragmented Migration Framework11:58 The 2015 Migration Crisis15:05 From Spokesperson to Vice-President17:49 The Evros Border Showdown and Turkey’s Deep State23:25 Cyprus and the Green Line29:09 The Triangle Turkey, Greece, Cyprus32:47 The New Pact on Migration and Asylum36:46 The Economics of Smuggling40:30 Challenges Ahead: Cyprus and Geopolitical Instability46:08 Conclusion: Reflections and Future Plans