Migration: Global Approach to the Eastern and South-Eastern regions of the EU

This Communication is presented in the context of the Global Approach to Migration endorsed by the European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005. It sets out a list of proposals concerning the implementation of this approach to the regions located on the East and South-East of the European Union (EU).

ACT

Communication from the Commission of 16 May 2007 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions applying the Global Approach to Migration to the Eastern and South-Eastern Regions Neighbouring the European Union [COM(2007) 247 final - Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

The Commission proposes to carry out the following measures:

Turkey and Western Balkans

• complement the dialogue on migration which took place in the framework of various bilateral, regional and national fora;
• reinforce the positive impact of migration on development;
• prevent brain drain, make it easier for migrant workers' to send remittances and improve circular migration;
• monitor the implementation of asylum policies;
• strengthen the legal and administrative system in the countries of the region in order to better ensure international protection of people;
• further develop the role of FRONTEX with these countries;
• encourage mutual assistance between the authorities of these countries, in charge of the fight against organised crime. The support provided could take place through better cooperation between Europol and the South-East European Cooperative Initiative (SECI).

European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus

• initiate dialogue on migration with the countries which have developed an action plan with the EU (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) and to strengthen it with the countries which already have an action plan in place (Moldova and Ukraine). Launch exploratory talks with Belarus;
• draw experience from the various fora, in particular from the Söderköping and Budapest processes. The Commission also proposes exploring the possibility of setting up a cooperation structure which would bring together the Member States and relevant EU agencies, the non-EU countries bordering the Black Sea and regional organisations, in particular, the SECI, the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the Black Sea forum;
• develop mobility partnerships;
• prevent brain drain and facilitate the issuing of visas as well as migrants' remittances;
• finalise the readmission agreement with Moldova, to implement the agreement concluded with Ukraine, and to consider new agreements with other countries in the region;
• provide further support to these countries as regards the management of their borders, the fight against organised crime, and document fraud.

Russia

• implement, more quickly, the measures that correspond to the priorities laid down in the Road Map for the Common Space on Freedom, Security and Justice;
• deepen the exchange of information between the EU and Russia (in particular through the Europol-Russia agreement), and to improve cooperation between Europol and Frontex in the Baltic Sea region, as well as mutual assistance between Frontex and the Russia Border Guard Service.

Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iran and Iraq

• pursue dialogue with Lebanon and Jordan and to begin such dialogue with Syria once the Association Agreement is signed;
• support Jordan and Syria in their efforts to assist refugees from the Iraq conflict;
• encourage Iran to intensify cooperation with its neighbours with respect to the fight against smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

Central Asia

• intensify border management cooperation and provide technical assistance for the fight against illegal immigration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

Asian countries of origin

• proceed with the ongoing negotiations concerning the conclusion of the readmission agreements and support the initiatives related to the fight against smuggling and trafficking in human beings;
• develop mobility partnerships with certain countries.

The Commission also suggests improving coordination by:

• developing a coherent vision of the current initiatives, in particular by encouraging Member States to complete the list specifying all of the projects carried out;
• consulting and disseminating the available information, in particular through an exchange network between the European agencies, international organisations and regional bodies;
• further developing partnerships with various bodies, such as the ministries of trade, labour and education;
• developing the Immigration Liaison Officers' (ILO) networks and common visa application centres.

Background

This Communication is presented in the context of the Global Approach to Migration endorsed by the European Council on 15 and 16 December 2005. It was prepared in response to the requests of the European Council of 15 and 16 December 2006.

Last updated: 25.09.2007