Based on author's thesis (Ph.D. - Maastricht University, 2013).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary material -- Introduction -- EU External Relations and Migration Policy: The Historical Development of the External Dimensions -- The Human Rights of Migrants: Legal Bases and Sources for EU Migration Law and Policy -- The Basis for Differential Treatment among Third-Country Nationals: EU Association Agreements and Cooperation Frameworks -- The Legal Position of Third-Country Nationals: Entry, Employment and Residence Rights -- The Legal Position of Third-Country Nationals: Social Security Rights -- The Legal Position of Third-Country Nationals: Other Economic and Social Rights -- Conclusions -- Schematic Overview of the Legal Position of Third-Country Nationals -- EU Official Documents -- Table of Cases -- Bibliography -- Index.

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In recent years the EU has been active in developing a common European immigration policy in cooperation with third countries and in building an “external dimension” of such an EU policy. The linkages between the EU’s external relations and migration policies have influenced the distinct legal positions of third-country nationals (non-EU nationals). This book critically discusses whether the EU’s objective of creating a common EU migration policy can be achieved against the backdrop of a highly fragmented EU framework for migration law and policy, and it argues that it is difficult to speak of one single, unitary group of third-country nationals forming the counterpart to EU citizens.