Europe must deliver a common immigration policy, MEPs say

Thu Apr 23 14:58:58 UTC 2009

Europe must deliver a common immigration policy, MEPs say

Thu, Apr 23 2009 12:28 CET byClive Leviev-Sawyer

The European Parliament (EP) is proposing a blueprint for a common
policy on European immigration. The EP media office said in a
statement that the report recognises the importance of legal
immigration, in the face of Europe's ageing population and declining
workforce, but also urges European Union member states to jointly
tackle the problems caused by illegal immigration. They also propose
to reinforce migrant's rights, by allowing them to vote in local
elections. MEPs describe immigration as "one of the foremost
challenges that Europe is currently facing", and believe that it will
remain a significant challenge for the coming decades.

Furthermore, a common approach to immigration is vital as shared
European borders mean that "action or inaction by one member state has
a direct impact on others and on the EU as a whole."

If migration is poorly managed, it will not only have a negative
impact on the countries of destination but also to the countries of
origin and the migrants themselves, the report says.

On April 22 2009, the EP adopted an own-initiative report drafted by
MEP Simon Busuttil by 485 votes in favour, 110 against and 19
abstentions.

Migrants have always played "a vital role in the development of the
EU", according to the report, which emphasises the importance of
recognising their past and continuing contribution.

The report says that Europe should continue to be a welcoming
environment for migrants; especially as, according to Eurostat
statistics, the European working age population is expected to fall by
50 million workers by 2060.

Well-managed immigration could help to provide crucial economic
stimulus to the EU in the coming years.

However, MEPs are concerned about the effect of the "brain drain" on
third countries, and are therefore recommending that a "cycle of
exchange of knowledge" should be encouraged, through programmes of
temporary migration.

They are also proposing a scheme to facilitate training in countries
of origin "in order to preserve occupations in key sectors", and are
urging member states to refrain from actively recruiting workers in
these sectors, such as health and education, in countries which are
already suffering from a lack of workers.

Statistics presented by the European Commission suggest that by 2050,
the EU will need 60 million migrant workers, which clearly shows that
channels for legal migration need to be improved.

MEPs said that they regret that so far little has been done to
encourage this, and called on member states to establish a
co-ordinated approach, "taking into account the demographic and
economic situation of the EU."

Integration should be a key part of EU legislation on immigration,
according to the report, which supports integration efforts by member
states, to help immigrants to
learn the language of their host country "and to develop an
understanding of the values of the EU and its member states".

"However, MEPs also recognise that integration is very much a two-way
process, and also requires adjustments on behalf of the population of
the host state."

The report also supports the view that immigrants from third countries
should be granted the right to full mobility in the EU, after a period
of five years' legal residence in a member state.

A further recommendation from MEPs suggests that democratic
participation is crucial to integration they are therefore calling for
migrants to be allowed to vote in local elections.

Successful integration also requires co-operation with third party
countries, which regrettably, has so far not achieved sufficient
results. According to the report.

The one exception to this is Spain's successful co-operation with
third countries, such as Senegal and Mauritania which in 2008 helped
to reduce arrivals in the Canary Islands by 70 per cent.

MEPs are calling for the replacement of national Schengen visas with
universal European Schengen visas, and for a joint consular service
for visas to be set up on a gradual and voluntary basis.

The report also calls on the European Council and member states to
adopt arrangements based on solidarity to share the burden of border
policing among member states.

The European Parliament said that it was particularly shocked by the
"human tragedy caused by illegal migratory sea routes."

The rapporteur says that in 2008, more migrants lost their lives at
sea that in the war in Gaza.

"Therefore, the report is calling for urgent action to stop this
tragedy, and to reinforce co-operation with countries of origin.  MEPs
are concerned that illegal immigration organised by criminal networks
has so far proved to be more effective than common European actions,
and urges member states to take action in "the fight against organised
crime, human trafficking and smuggling."

FRONTEX, the Warsaw based EU agency designed to coordinate border
security cooperation between Member States, should be reinforced and
have its powers extended, the report says

The report suggests that FRONTEX should be provided with adequate
funding and resources so that it has the potential to acquire its own
equipment.

MEPs are calling on the Commission to investigate the possibility of
"upgrading FRONTEX operations at sea into an EU coast guard, without
undermining member states control of their borders."

http://www.sofiaecho.com/2009/04/23/709232_europe-must-deliver-a-common-immigration-policy-meps-say

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