Commission proposes better management of migration to the EU
Communication on migration COM (2011) 248
On 4 May 2011 the Commission presented initiatives for a more structured, comprehensive, rapid-response approach from the EU to the challenges and opportunities. The initiatives cover various aspects of migration, including strengthened border control and Schengen governance, completion of the Common European Asylum System, more targeted legal migration, exchange of best practices for successful integration of migrants and a strategic approach for relations with third countries on migration.
Thousands of people have recently sought to come to the EU, putting the protection and reception systems of some Member States under increasing strain. It is important to differentiate between irregular migrants (economic migrants trying to cross EU borders illegally), refugees or persons who may seek asylum, and people who are temporally displaced. The legal status of these people, as well as the help the EU can provide to them, is different.
Migration issues are having an increasingly significant political impact in the EU. The October 2008 European Council adopted a European Pact on Immigration and Asylum to give an impulse to the development of an EU common policy with five commitments: organising legal migration, fighting against irregular migration, strengthening the external borders, building an EU asylum system and creating a global partnership for migration and development. These commitments were reiterated and further detailed in the Stockholm Programme adopted by the Council in December 2009. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty has ensured a stable, comprehensive and more accountable legal framework for the development of EU migration policy, notably through a greater participation of the European Parliament in the decision-making process.
At the same time, as recent events have starkly illustrated, the EU continues to face serious challenges in the development of its migration policy. The EU has responded to all these challenges swiftly and pro-actively. However, while the current crisis confirms the need for increased solidarity at the European level and better sharing of responsibility, it must be recognised that the EU is not fully equipped to help those Member States most exposed to massive migratory movements.
EC communication on Migration (COM(2011) 248) [pdf 727 kB]
Vladimíra Drbalová
International Organisations and EU Affairs
