"These large-scale migrations, as well as attacks linked to groups harbored in MENA [Middle East and North Africa], are already undermining important achievements in the European project, such as the free movement of people across national borders, and are contributing to a growing sense of insecurity," the report stated.
The IMF said some 1.7 million refugees have arrived in Europe since 2014, while 3 million of people fleeing conflicts settled in Turkey, putting economic pressure on the country.
"Given the significant political polarization, economic inequality, and rapid population growth in the region, these conflicts [that cause migration] are unlikely to dissipate anytime soon," the report noted.
The IMF added that providing humanitarian aid to meet immediate needs of the people affected by the conflicts is the top priority at the moment. At the same time the fund stressed importance of developmental assistance, which should focus on infrastructure and social resilience in the Middle East and North Africa.
In August, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the EU countries are currently more concerned about the necessity to boost border controls rather than host refugees.
