I. Introduction
The
development of a forward-looking and comprehensive European migration policy,
based on solidarity and responsibility, is a fundamental policy objective for
the European Union[1].
The
Commission presented on 4th May a Communication on Migration.[2]
The purpose of that Communication was to set recent and future policy proposals
in a framework that takes account of all relevant aspects and allows the EU and
its Member States to manage asylum, migration and mobility of third-country
nationals in a comprehensive and coherent manner.
The
present Annual Report is presented in response to the request made by the
European Council when adopting the 2008 Pact on Immigration and Asylum[3]
and covers the developments during 2010 in the implementation of the Pact and
the relevant priorities of the Stockholm Programme adopted in 2009[4],
both at the EU and the national level. The report has been prepared on the
basis of Member States' contributions and other information, in particular
reports from the National Contact Points (NCPs) of the European Migration
Network (EMN).
The
report summarises and assesses developments at the EU and the national level[5],
and puts forward recommendations for future action.
II. Entering
and Residing in the EU
People
come to Europe in different ways and for different purposes The channel by
which a third country national enters the EU will have a direct effect on the
rights he or she enjoys, in particular as regards access to the labour market.
However, migrants who are legally residing in the EU, whatever their specific status,
need to be integrated in their host society, a joint responsibility of the
migrant and the society he or she has come to.
1. Legal
migration – ensuring a legal way to enter the EU
1.1 Demographic Challenges and Labour
Shortages
From almost 501 million in
2010 the EU population is projected to
rise to 520.7 million in 2035 then fall to 505.7 million in 2060. Whereas in
2010 there were 3.5 persons of working age (20‑64) for every person aged 65 or over, in 2060 the ratio is
expected to be 1.7 to 1.[6]
Migration is the main
driver of population change in the EU. In
2009, net migration to the EU was 857 000, i.e. 63% of total population growth.
On
1.1.2003, the number of third-country nationals
in the EU-25 was 16.2 milion, i.e. 3.6 %
of the population. In 2010, a breakdown of
the population by citizenship in the EU-27 showed that 20.1 million were citizens of a non-EU27
country (4% of the total population).
The largest
groups of third-country nationals in the EU are Turks, Moroccans and Albanians.
In 2009, more than 770 000 persons acquired
the citizenship
of an EU Member State, representing a rise of 9% with respect to the average
number recorded in the period 2004-2008.
Two million
first residence permits were issued to third
country nationals in the EU in 2009, eight percent less than in the previous
year. The number of permits issued for remunerated activities decreased by 28%
, reflecting the effects of the economic crisis. Such permits represented 24%
of the total number of permits issued in 2009, against 27% for family reasons,
22% for study and another 27% for various other reasons (protection-related,
residence without the right to work, etc).
This
tendency is also reflected in the flow of remittances (extra-EU flows); workers' remittances in 2009 declined by 4%
compared to 2008[7].
The above figures show that the EU is
facing a structural problem in terms of its demographic development. Despite an
unemployment rate of almost ten percent, leaving more than 23 million people
jobless, skills shortages are widely reported. The Annual Growth Survey 2010[8]
shows that demand for labour has continued to increase, and that, despite these
high levels of unemployment, some employers are unable to find the people with
the right skills to fill their vacancies. To sustain economic recovery and
maintain Europe's welfare systems, the EU urgently needs to address mismatches
between skills supply and labour market demand. This is emphasised in the
Europe 2020 Strategy, in particular in the employment guidelines and the
flagship Communication 'An Agenda for New Skills and Jobs'. The Europe 2020
strategy commits the EU to reaching an employment rate of 75% by 2020, as well
as providing for a better match between the skills people obtain through
education and training and actual labour market needs on the other hand.
The predominant initial policy response of
Member States to the skills challenge is to improve the employability of their national workforce, through improving education and training, increasing the
employment rate of women, older workers, nationals with a migration background
and already legally residing third country nationals, as well as through Union
preference. However, given both the seriousness of the skills mismatch in
European labour markets as well as irreversible demographic developments[9],
a well organised legal immigration and integration policy, in line with the
Stockholm programme and supported by the EU legal instruments mentioned below,
has a central role to play in ensuring the EU's long-term competitiveness and
ultimately the future of its social model.
The contribution of immigrants to the EU
economies has been substantial. In the period 2000–2005, third country
immigrants to the EU accounted for more than a quarter of the overall rise in
employment and for 21% of the average GDP growth in the EU-15. This growing
migrant labour share consisted of both highly qualified jobs in the expanding
sectors of the economy but also of many jobs requiring a mix of lower skills.
Therefore, effectively managing
migration and promoting the effective participation
and inclusion in employment and in our societies of the
important numbers of immigrants already living legally in the EU are key to achieving the employment objectives set in the Europe 2020
Strategy.
In
this framework, the Commission is currently putting in place a number of
instruments to review the matching of skills and supply, such as the comprehensive EU Skills Panorama available
in 2012, the European Vacancy Monitor, the European Job Mobility Bulletin,
CEDEFOP's forecasts on longer term demand and supply of skills. The Commission intends to present by 2012 a Green Paper which will
explore these issues.
It is crucial to ensure that, once they are
legally residing in the EU, migrants should enjoy non-discriminatory access to
the labour markets according to their skills and experience and have the
possibility to fully participate in the socio-economic, political and cultural
life of the societies to which they have come. In this context, measures to
ensure the recognition of acquired skills and competences, non-discriminatory
access to social and employment services, as well as a strong coordination
between integration and inclusion policies are essential for the achievement of
the Europe 2020 Strategy objectives. Currently there is no agreed EU-wide
method of assessing specific labour/skills shortages in Member States and
whether workers from third countries have the skills and qualifications needed
to fill them. Not all Member States have systems in place that allow them (or
employers operating on their territory) to identify (future) skills shortages
and/or how they might be filled by suitably skilled migrants. While the nature
and extent of (future) skills shortages varies between Member States, the
urgent need to address these shortages is commonly shared across the EU.
With regard to the health sector, for
example, as already announced in the "Agenda for New Skills and Jobs"[10],
the Commission intends to put forward by 2012 an action plan in order to
address the shortage of health professionals in the EU. The joint action on
workforce planning announced in the same Communication will help identifying
labour / skills shortages in the health sectors of Member States. The role that
inward migration of suitably skilled third country nationals can play in meeting
these shortages needs to be addressed.
Effective
measures in this area will bring benefits for all the parties involved: Member
States will be less affected by labour shortages, both male and female migrants
will be able to realise the full potential of their skills and qualifications
and the EU will develop an attractive labour market for migrants. The
Commission is ready to fully support the efforts of the Member States in this
process and will be putting forward various tools to this effect.
·
The existing mismatch between
labour market needs and skills supply needs
to be addressed by the Member States, with the full support of the Commission.
Meeting these needs via managed inward migration of suitably skilled third
country nationals should be central to this effort.
·
Better recognition at EU level
of skills and qualifications from third
countries would mean that people can fully use their potential in their jobs.
More geographically flexible labour markets
would allow migrants to change employers, possibly located in different Member
States, more easily. Such mobility should preserve their residence rights and
lead to a better matching of labour market supply and demand.
·
In the framework of the EU 2020
Strategy, the role immigration could play in
meeting labour and skills shortages should be taken into account by Member
States and the EU.
1.2 EU Legal
Framework
At the European level, it was only in 1999[11]
that Member States agreed to put in place a common immigration policy, making
this a relatively new policy area. Since the entry into force of the Lisbon
Treaty, decisions on migration policy are taken under the normal legislative
procedure.
The effects of the economic crisis
continued to have an impact on the development of legal migration policy in
2010. This manifested itself in the legislative process on EU proposals which
proved to be difficult, with only slow progress being made in discussions on new
proposals. This has been the case since July 2010 when the Commission presented
proposals on seasonal workers[12]
and intra-corporate transferees (ICT)[13].
Moreover, several opinions were received from national Parliaments contesting
the respect of the subsidiarity principle. Discussions continued on the
proposed Directive for a 'single permit' and employment related rights for
migrants, but the European Parliament and the Council have not yet found an
agreement.
The EU needs an immigration system with
flexible admission rules, while ensuring common standards on conditions of
entry and residence and adequate safeguarding of migrant rights. An agreement
on the 'Single Permit' proposal is therefore essential. Without it, the rights
of legal migrant workers will not be ensured at the EU level and the current
fragmented approach will continue regarding administrative formalities and
simplification. The seasonal workers and ICT proposals are likewise
indispensable to further build the EU's legislative framework on legal
migration. The ICT Directive will help the EU to develop a knowledge-based and
innovative economy, attract investment by multi-national companies, and boost
competitiveness of our economy. The seasonal workers Directive will help to
fight exploitation of a particularly vulnerable group of migrants and to
provide a simple and quick common framework for seasonal workers to come to
work temporarily in the EU.
The situation is also far from being
satisfactory as regards the transposition of the 'EU Blue Card' Directive,
which is due to be completed by June 2011. So far, only a few Member States
have communicated their transposition measures to the Commission. The EU Blue
Card scheme puts in place an attractive package of measures such as equal
treatment with national workers, favourable conditions for family reunification
and intra-EU mobility to attract highly-qualified persons to the EU. The
Commission continued the evaluation of the transposition of existing Directives
(on long term residents, students and researchers) with the objective of
presenting reports later in 2011. With regard to family reunification, some
Member States have identified a need to address what they perceive as the abuse
of national family reunification procedures and have initiated legislative
changes. Following its 2008 report on the family reunification Directive[14],
the Commission will launch a Green Paper on family reunification by the end of
the year.
With a view to the further development of
the legal framework for legal migration, the Commission sees a need to
intensify discussions with all stakeholders, including social partners, to that
end.
·
Member States must transpose fully
and in time by June 2011 the "Blue
Card" Directive.
·
An agreement on the draft Single Permit Directive must be reached in the near future. Significant progress in discussions on the proposals on Seasonal employment and Intra-corporate transferees must be achieved in the coming months.
·
Evaluation of the transposition of
the existing directives shall be pursued.
This will allow the identification of implementation problems and help to improve existing legislation or identify a need
to consolidate the present acquis.
2. Asylum – granting international protection and ensuring
solidarity
In
2009 Member States recorded 266 400 asylum applications, the number in 2010 was 257
815, a slight decrease of 3%. While Poland, Italy, Hungary and Malta received
less asylum-seekers in 2010 than in 2009, significant increases were recorded
in Germany, Belgium and Sweden. In
2010, the most important countries of citizenship of asylum-seekers in the EU were, in order:
Afghanistan (20 580), Russia (18 500), Serbia (17 715, excluding Kosovo*[15]),
Iraq (15 800) and Somalia (14 350). In
2010, 55 095 asylum-seekers received a protection status in the EU at first instance (refugee,
subsidiary protection or humanitarian). Protection was therefore granted in
25% of decisions taken in first-instance procedures. In
2009, 7 147 refugees were resettled in the EU from third countries. The
figure for 2010 was [until Q3] 3 848. |
Legislative progress was slow and difficult
in the field of asylum in 2010. The co-legislators agreed on the extension of
the scope of the Long-Term Residents Directive to beneficiaries of
international protection, and made some progress on the Dublin and Eurodac
Regulations as well as on the Qualification Directive. To give an impulse to
the stalled negotiations on the Reception Conditions and Asylum Procedures
Directives, the Commission will adopt modified proposals on these two
instruments in June 2011.
The adoption in 2010 of the Regulation for
the creation of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) was a significant
development. The Commission is working actively so that the EASO becomes
operational in June this year in view of boosting practical cooperation.
Solidarity among Member States is needed as
one of the components of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). A pilot
project for the relocation from Malta to ten Member States of approx. 250
beneficiaries of international protection is running and will be extended
beyond its originally intended duration so as to facilitate the relocation of
recently-arrived migrants in need of international protection.
Following the submission of an Action Plan
to the European Commission in August 2010, Greece has embarked on a
comprehensive overhaul of its asylum and migration system, and has received
support from the Commission, the Member States, Norway, the UNHCR and other EU
partners. Asylum Expert Teams coordinated by the EASO are now deployed there.
Important new legislation has already been adopted by Greece in 2010, and its
implementation is underway.
Existing Regional Protection Programmes
(RPPs) in Tanzania and Eastern Europe continued; the implementation of a new
RPP in the Horn of Africa region started in September, in close cooperation
with the UNHCR; and work advanced on the development of another RPP in
North-Eastern Africa (Egypt, Libya and Tunisia).
Resettlement
is equally essential in this context. Negotiations on the creation of a Joint
EU Resettlement Programme must come to an operational and positive end. A
strategic approach and political steering on the use of resettlement is needed.
·
Negotiations on all asylum
legislative proposals must be finalised by
the 2012 deadline.
·
The recent events in the
Mediterranean and the need to restructure the asylum systems of some Member
States confirm the necessity of creating a common procedure and a uniform
status at EU level. This implies better EU legislation, strengthened
practical cooperation coordinated by the
EASO, a concrete multifaceted commitment to solidarity and an increased investment in cooperation with third
countries.
·
Agreement must be reached by the
European Parliament and the Council on the EU Joint resettlement scheme.
·
The EU relocation pilot project
with Malta, the legislative reforms which have been adopted by Greece and the
ongoing support it has received in the implementation of the Action Plan are
concrete examples of the combination of responsibility and solidarity that are needed to build the CEAS.
3. Integration
– a key element both for migrants and receiving societies
Integration issues were high on the
political agenda across Europe during 2010. On the one hand, European leaders
increasingly recognize the importance of coherence between immigration and
integration policies and of the efforts to be made by legally-residing migrants
and receiving societies to ensure migrants' economic, social, cultural and
political participation. On the other hand, the attitudes of some in Europe
about immigration and integration can lead to discrimination and racism, even
though anti-migration sentiments are often disconnected from the realities
about migration and its impact on the economy.
Despite efforts, migrants still face
barriers to their participation in European societies. In order to address
these challenges, Ministers responsible for integration met in 2010 in Zaragoza
and confirmed their commitment to 'Integration as a driver for development and social
cohesion'.[16] The
Commission launched a pilot project to identify indicators for monitoring the
results of integration policies. It also started developing so-called 'European
modules' to support national and local integration policies and practices. Two
meetings of the European Integration Forum were held and the European Web Site
on Integration continued to be developed. The third Handbook on Integration was
published.
At the national level, most Member States
have developed national plans for integration and/or established advisory
bodies to be consulted on integration matters. Some changed their legislation
to introduce tests for third country nationals to assess their integration. The
formalisation of the rights and obligations of newly arrived migrants through
an "admission and integration contract" continued in some Member
States. In many Member States special attention was paid to the need to learn
the language of the receiving society and to tackling rising unemployment rates
of migrants, with measures taken to enhance access to employment. The trend to
develop comprehensive strategies and monitoring systems to follow up results of
these continued in most Member States.
Further efforts are
needed to enhance the effectiveness of integration. The EU needs to recognise
and support migrants' contribution to economic growth, while ensuring social
cohesion. Only by progressively ensuring effective social and economic
integration of legally-resident third country nationals can the EU achieve a
broader acceptance of migration, while promoting European core values. Synergy should
be encouraged between the targeted policy initiatives in the context of
migration policy and the range of horizontal policy initiatives so as to ensure an adequate and comprehensive policy response. For
the Commission, a 'bottom-up' approach based on well organised governance at
local/regional level is the best way to reach this objective. The Commission
will provide incentives and support to these actions. A Communication on a
"European Agenda on the Integration of Third-Country Nationals", as
well as its accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper, both of which will
shortly be adopted by the Commission , will set out the Commission's vision on
integration.
·
The EU must progressively ensure an
effective social and economic integration of
legally-residing third country nationals – both men and women - in order
to realise the full potential of migration, growth and cohesion.
·
The EU can reconcile migrants' contribution to economic growth
with social cohesion. Tangible
results will be possible only if Member States incorporate integration and inclusion issues in all
relevant policy areas. A 'bottom-up' approach, based on an effective governance
system at local/regional level, is the best way to achieve this.
·
A proactive information and
communication strategy should be put in
place at EU, national and local levels, in order
to maximise positive perceptions of migration.
III.
Addressing irregular migration to facilitate regular migration
In 2009, the number of irregularly staying third
country nationals apprehended in the
EU-27 was about 570 000 (7% less than in 2008). Member States returned about
253 000 third country nationals (4.7% more than in 2008). In 2010 63% (i.e. about 20 000 detections) of illegal
border-crossings into the EU were
detected in 3Q2010 at the Greek/Turkey land border. |
Effective measures aimed at preventing
irregular immigration and at securing safe borders are an essential component
of a coherent and credible EU immigration policy, but this policy must be fair
and human rights must be respected.
1. Instruments
for fighting irregular migration
Two legal key instruments have been adopted
in recent years – the Return Directive 2008/115/EC and the Employer
Sanctions' Directive 2009/52/EC. They are in place now, but their state of
transposition is far from satisfactory, in particular with respect to the
Return Directive, where the implementation deadline passed on 24 December 2010.
That is why its full and timely transposition is essential. Those provisions,
which directly confer rights on migrants, may be, and already are, invoked in
proceedings before national courts, and directly applied at the national level,
regardless of whether national transposition legislation is in place.
Reinforced border control and cooperation
with third countries, notably via readmission agreements, have already proved
their effectiveness, as demonstrated in some Member States which have reported
on their deterrent effect and on better-functioning return arrangements. However,
there remains room for improving the effectiveness of readmission agreements at
the EU level, as set out in the Commission’s Communication on the Evaluation of
EU Readmission Agreements (COM(2011)76). It is also clear that the higher
number of joint return flights coordinated by Frontex in 2010 have been a
success, earning the agency further support and increased financial means. Moreover,
the 29 measures agreed by the Council to reinforce the protection of the
external borders and combating illegal immigration are now being implemented.
In its Staff Working Document[17]
on the fulfilment of these 29 measures, the Commission reported in detail on
progress achieved with regard to each measure, putting a special emphasis on
the role played by Frontex, the development of EUROSUR and the ongoing dialogue
on migration with main countries of origin and transit as part of the
implementation of the Global Approach. These measures need to be accelerated
and given priority.
The Directive
on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, and protecting
victims, the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator appointed by the Commission and a
website on fight against trafficking in human beings[18]
launched in 2010 have equipped the EU with new powers and ways to fight against
this modern form of slavery. The recently adopted implementation report on
Directive 2004/81/EC[19]
on residence permits for victims of trafficking also called for their more
effective protection, which should also help to dismantle networks of
traffickers.
·
Member States must fully transpose the Employer Sanctions Directive by July
2011, essential for fighting irregular migration and for the credibility of legal
migration.
·
Member States must step up
measures against trafficking in human beings, including assistance given to
victims under Directive 2004/81/EC with a
view to dismantling networks of traffickers while strengthening rights of the
victims.
·
The Return Directive must be fully transposed and implemented by the Member States
who should continue to make use of the opportunity offered by this Directive to
foster voluntary departure
as the preferred return option.
·
The use of joint return flights should be continued, by making full use of the
European Return Fund and FRONTEX coordination, and including the presence of forced
return monitors as required under
the Return Diretcive.
·
Member States should systematically
add entry bans in the SIS
in order to give full effect to the European dimension of entry bans issued
under the Return Directive.
2. Effective
border control
In 2010 the Commission proposed a
Regulation on the establishment of an evaluation mechanism to verify the
correct application of the Schengen acquis. In
the light of recent experiences, its adoption must be a priority, so that the
EU is better equipped to enforce a uniform application of the rules and take
the appropriate measures if this would not be the case. Development of the Visa
Information System (VIS) continued with the completion of the second and third
major testing phases out of a total of four. Final agreement was reached on the
technical specifications for the interaction of SIS II with the national
systems. Member States continued to prepare the ground for establishing
EUROSUR in line with the roadmap. EUROSUR will gradually establish a mechanism
whereby Member States' authorities carrying out border surveillance can
cooperate and share operational information with each other and with Frontex,
in order to reinforce the control of the external border of the Schengen area,
especially its southern maritime and eastern land borders, and step up the
fight against irregular migration and cross border crime. During the past year, the EU has faced critical situations at its
borders, where it was confronted with high inflows of irregular migrants. This
has been, and continues to represent, a major a test for the EU's ability to
react quickly and efficiently, while the Member States most directly concerned
by migratory movements have required assistance in a spirit of solidarity. The
achievements of Frontex are now broadly recognised and there is widespread
agreement on the need to upgrade its role in order to enable it to be more
effective.
The
results of concerted EU action to tackle border-related crises have been mixed.
On the one hand, the EU and the Member States have demonstrated that they are
capable of responding decisively to address specific challenges faced by a
Member State in effectively controlling its external borders. For the first
time, following a request made by Greece related to the pressure on its land
borders with Turkey, use was made of Frontex's Rapid Border Intervention Teams
(RABIT). The swift deployment of the RABIT, strongly supported by participating
Member States, stabilised the situation and brought down the number of arrivals
compared to the peaks in 2010. Malta has recently requested deployment of the
RABIT in view of the situation in the southern Mediterranean.
On the other hand, one of the
lessons learnt from these events is that both increased cooperation and uniform
application of the acquis must be better
and more effectively ensured by all Member States. Coordinated preventive EU
action vis à vis countries of origin is still slow and weak.
·
The European Parliament and the Council must agree
on the proposed amendment to the FRONTEX Regulation as soon as possible, to provide a proper legal basis to strengthen
the functioning of the agency.
·
All Schengen border-crossing
points should be properly equipped, border surveillance properly ensured, and border guards trained to use new IT tools, as stipulated in the
Schengen Borders Code.
·
The proposed Schengen
evaluation mechanism must be adopted,
in order to foster mutual trust between Member States and
EU institutions on the correct, uniform and coherent application of the
Schengen Acquis.
·
The feasibility of setting up a European Border
Guard System should be considered.
·
Local Schengen cooperation must be fully exploited
in order to ensure a fully harmonised and streamlined visa procedure in particular
for the benefit of bona fide travellers.
·
With a view to developing a fully
reliable system of EU border control, Member States should
continue to prepare the ground for establishing EUROSUR, and
explore the desirability of putting in place an entry/exit system
and a registered traveller programme.
·
To better coordinate the checks at the external
borders the Commission will present proposals in 2012, in order to improve
interagency cooperation between
FRONTEX, EUROPOL, national customs and police authorities.
IV.
Unaccompanied minors – a specific challenge
Unaccompanied minors deserve specific
attention. Many of these children are asylum seekers and, as such, they are
protected by the asylum legislation, but there also those who arrive to the
territory of the EU irregularly and they are the most vulnerable.
In recent years, most Member States have
experienced an increase in the number of unaccompanied minors arriving on their
territory, and there has been a growing realisation that EU action is needed.
Responding to this need, in 2010 the Commission adopted an Action Plan on
Unaccompanied Minors (2010 – 2014),[20]
on the basis of which, in June, the Council adopted conclusions.[21]
The Action Plan put forward a common EU approach based on the principle of the
best interests of the child and identified several main strands for action such
as prevention, reception and identification of durable solutions. The Action
Plan also recognised that the successful protection of unaccompanied minors
necessitates closer cooperation between Member States, EASO, EU institutions
and stakeholders.
The implementation of the Action Plan is ongoing.
The 2010 Belgian Presidency seminar 'Unaccompanied Minors: children crossing
the external borders of the EU in search of protection' resulted in the
adoption of a comprehensive set of recommendations which stressed, amongst
other aspects, the importance of establishing procedures allowing for quick
identification of unaccompanied children at the border. According to the
reports submitted by the Member States in 2010 there have been wide variations
in the number of unaccompanied minors arriving to their territory, ranging from
a few to up to 6 000. Some Member States carried out targeted information
campaigns in the countries of origin on the dangers of irregular migration of
unaccompanied minors. Some Member States
developed tools to assess the age of unaccompanied minors.
·
The EU and the Member States must
continue to implement the Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors
V. The
External Dimension of EU migration Policy – The Global Approach
In 2010, the existing tools of the Global
Approach to Migration were increasingly applied globally to develop the
external dimension of the EU's migration policy. Notably, the interest in
Mobility Partnerships is growing. Several Member States referred to their
participation in Mobility Partnerships, and to a willingness to further engage
in new ones. Cooperation with the Republic of Moldova, Cape Verde and Georgia
in the framework of Mobility Partnerships continued. Discussions on new
Mobility Partnerships were conducted with Armenia and Ghana. The Commission
also intends to launch dialogues in the near future aimed at the conclusion of Mobility
Partnerships with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean.
While continuing to pursue their bilateral
cooperation, Member States increasingly acted together in joint initiatives at
EU level. Following the revision of the Cotonou Agreement, a migration dialogue
with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries was launched. The (ACP)
Observatory on Migration was inaugurated in October 2010. Within the Africa-EU
Migration Mobility and Employment (MME) Partnership, a new Action Plan for 2011-2013 was adopted at
the 3rd Africa-EU Summit in Tripoli in November. Work on the future orientation of the Prague Process (Building
Migration Partnerships) started at the end of 2010. The European Union-Latin
America Structured Dialogue on Migration was further developed. An EU-U.S.
Platform for Cooperation on Migration and Refugee Issues was launched. A
migration dialogue meeting was held with India in October 2010. Regarding the
enlargement process, it is important to work closely with candidate countries
to align their migration and asylum policies and practices with the EU
standards.
The importance of a
stronger external migration policy is growing. The Lisbon Treaty and the
setting up of the European External Action Service (EEAS) provide new
opportunities and necessitate a reflection about the role of the Global Approach
to Migration in the broader context of the EU's external relations. The external dimension of EU
migration policy also needs to reflect the process whereby the EU creates the conditions for modernising its labour markets in line with
the Europe 2020 Strategy. The Global Approach to
Migration should therefore better incorporate the strategic objectives of the
Union, both external and internal, as regards migration.
·
The external dimension of the EU migration policy needs to reflect the
EU labour market priorities and the role of
immigration, in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy.
·
The Global Approach to Migration
needs to become a more long-term, balanced and sustainable policy framework to
address the geographic and thematic priorities of the EU.
·
Member States, EU institutions and
relevant EU agencies will also have to cooperate in a more effective way to
anticipate and prevent sudden
mass migration flows, through a solid
mechanism based on the principle of solidarity as well as in partnership with the third countries.
·
The EU will offer a structured
dialogue on migration, mobility and
security to its partner countries, and in
particular those in the Southern Mediterranean, with a view to establishing
related Mobility Partnerships, which will
cover initiatives on legal migration and visa facilitation.
[1] Stockholm Programme, 2 December 2009, Council of the European Union 17024/09.
[2] COM(2011)
248/3.
[4] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2010:115:0001:0038:EN:PDF.
[5] A
Commission Staff Working Paper provides more detail.
[6] All
data are Eurostat data, unless the contrary is indicated.
[7] Eurostat,
Statistics in focus, 40/2010.
[8] Growth Report, MEMO/11/11, p. 3.
[9] Eurostat, Statistics in Focus, 72/2008 "Ageing characterises the demographic perspectives of the European societies".
[10] http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:0682:FIN:EN:PDF.
[11] Tampere European Council conclusions.
[12] COM(2010) 379 final.
[13] COM(2010) 378 final.
[14] 2003/86/EC.
[15] *
Under UNSCR 1244/1999.
[16] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/ec/115346.pdf.
[17] SEC (2010) 1480 final of 26.11.2010.
[18] http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/index.action.
[19] COM(2010) 493.
[20] COM(2010) 213. EMN provided an EU study on UAM (http://emn.intrasoft-intl.com/html/index.html).
[21] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/jha/114900.pdf.