This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Monitoring and evaluation of Non-EU Member Countries in the fight against illegal immigration
The report sets out to provide the Council with the information necessary to evaluate the present level of each country's cooperation. It is a pilot report for the monitoring and evaluation mechanism and covers only eight countries: Albania, China, Libya, Morocco, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Tunisia and Ukraine.
ACT
Communication from the Commission to the Council on the monitoring and evaluation mechanism of Non-EU Member Countries in the field of the fight against illegal immigration [COM(2005) 352 final - Not published in the Official Journal].
SUMMARY
This report is the first of its kind. It sets out a number of political recommendations as requested by the Council, as well as some technical recommendations to improve the existing mechanism.
It covers the principal developments in the period up to 20 December 2004. The Commission notes that the level of existing cooperation with the Commission varies significantly between countries.
Albania
The Commission considers that Albania has demonstrated positive cooperation with the Commission on migration issues. In addition, the entry into force of the readmission agreement at Community level is a positive development.
However, it takes the view that Albania needs:
Albania should be diplomatically supported in concluding readmission agreements not only with its regional neighbours but also with the countries of origin of migrants transiting through Albania.
In order to improve Albania's macroeconomic stability, the Commission proposes complementing existing Community efforts by addressing the issue of facilitating the transfer of remittances by migrant workers to their country of origin. In particular, it suggests further development of the Albanian financial sector and enhanced cooperation with international banking entities.
China
The Commission welcomes the dialogue with China after the tragedy in Dover in June 2000, when 58 illegal immigrants lost their lives. However, given the number of professionals and students who are being attracted to studying and working in the EU, it proposes that the dialogue be extended to issues relating to legal migration.
With a view to a continued commitment by China to reduce illegal migration from its country, the Commission proposes that:
Libya
Libya has been identified as a potential priority for intervention and support by the Commission. However, the EU has no formal relations with Libya.
The Commission recommends that Libya be encouraged to respond positively to the EU's policy. It will also explore ways of strengthening the dialogue on migration issues with African regional organisations in so far as a regional dimension is taken into account in achieving lasting solutions.
Morocco
The Commission notes that Morocco displays a positive attitude in discussions with the EU. It stresses its fruitful cooperation with its neighbour Spain in efforts to stem the tide of illegal migration by sea. However, it points out that the Community has not been able to agree the text of a readmission agreement with Morocco. It thus suggests further efforts to reach a final agreement. It also proposes encouraging further dialogue between Morocco and its regional neighbours in order to seek regional strategies for managing migratory flows.
Russia
The Commission welcomes progress in the ongoing readmission and visa facilitation negotiations with Russia. It proposes that the EU encourage:
Serbia and Montenegro
The Commission notes that progress has been made in the fields of migration and asylum and that the authorities take a positive attitude to working with the European Community.
However, it takes the view that:
Tunisia
The Commission notes that Tunisia has shown a long-standing constructive approach to dialogue with the European Community in matters of migration management. However, two issues deserve attention: the lack of a functioning asylum system and the scale of illegal migration.
On the first issue, the Commission suggests that the issue of asylum and visa facilitation (Tunisia has expressed a particular interest in initiating dialogue on the latter) be examined in order to see whether more can be achieved.
On the second issue, it proposes supporting Tunisia's efforts to seek regional strategies for migration management. The solutions to be envisaged could encourage:
Ukraine
The Commission notes that Ukraine has made notable progress in some sectors of asylum and migration, border management and trafficking in persons. However, much remains to be done.
It underscores the fact that early conclusion of a readmission agreement remains of the utmost importance and that the comprehensive dialogue with the EU on all migration-related issues should be continued.
General recommendations
The Commission suggests:
Context
In June 2003 the European Council recognised the importance of developing an evaluation mechanism to monitor relations with Non-EU Member Countries in the field of migration. This report is an initial response to the invitation addressed to the Commission.
Last updated: 22.02.2006