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The future of the European Migration Network (EMN)
The function of the European Migration Network (EMN) is to collect, analyse and distribute data on asylum and immigration in order to provide backup for the European Union's decision-making process in this area. The EMN was set up in 2002 on the basis of a preparatory action, which will end in 2006. In this Green Paper the Commission makes a number of proposals for consideration when the time comes to decide on a future structure for 2007 and beyond.
ACT
Commission Green Paper on the future of the European Migration Network [COM(2005)606 final - Not published in the Official Journal].
SUMMARY
1. The European Migration Network (EMN) was put in place in 2002 on the basis of a preparatory action. This action comes to an end in 2006. The Commission is currently putting forward a number of ideas on the form to be taken by a future EMN.
The current network
2. The EMN's current tasks are:
3. Action undertaken within the framework of the EMN includes:
4. The existing network currently comprises 17 national contact points (NCP *). The NCPs of other Member States, including the new Member States, are on the point of joining the EMN or participating as observers. The NCPs take turns in assuming responsibility for developing a national network. This network includes the key actors involved in the field of migration.
5. The contact points are located in ministries (home affairs, justice, etc.), public bodies (such as national statistical institutes or research institutes) or private sector bodies (such as non-governmental organisations or national branches of international organisations (like the IOM)). The list of NCPs is attached. A directory is also available.
6. The Commission notes that efforts have been made:
7. The network is co-financed by the Commission and the Member States. The allocation for the preparatory action was EUR 3 million in 2005 (as compared with EUR 1.4 million in 2002).
8. The evaluation report produced in 2005 identified several difficulties that have faced the EMN in fulfilling its tasks, notably:
The future network
9. The Commission is proposing that the general objective of the EMN should be to provide the Community, its Member States and the general public with objective, reliable and comparable information on asylum and migration.
10. However, it suggests that some of the information retrieved, given that it is confidential, should be restricted to specific users.
11. On the issue of concrete tasks, the Commission is proposing:
12. Consideration must be given to other work being carried out in the field of asylum and immigration when the future EMN is being created. The network should be seen as part of the current general reorganisation and rationalisation of information exchange instruments, notably the proposal for a regulation on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
13. The Commission is also of the view that the future EMN should network with the bodies that retrieve and analyse data in associated areas:
14. On the subject of the structure of the future network the Commission suggests two possible options.
First option: a network attached to the Commission
15. The future EMN would continue to consist of a network of national contact points with the Commission assuming responsibility for the overall direction, programming and further development of activities.
16. The legal basis for the network could then be a Council decision.
17. This option could serve as a transitional phase between the current network and, if so decided, a more permanent and institutionalised structure.
Second option: an agency
18. The setting up of a Community agency could be considered a longer-term option.
19. A stable structure of this type would enable the existing EMN to carry out a broader range of tasks.
20. If this option were to be adopted, the following points would have to be considered:
21. As for the NCPs, the Commission suggested that they should:
Background
22. The EMN stems from the conclusions of the December 2001 Laeken European Council, which called on the Commission "to establish a system of exchange of information on asylum, migration and countries of origin". The EMN was consequently set up as a pilot project in 2002.
23. The project developed on an informal basis. Institutionalisation was envisaged by the June 2003 Thessaloniki European Council, which suggested that the possibility of "creating a permanent structure in the future" be looked into.
24. Reform of the EMN ties in with the conclusions of the Thessaloniki European Council and the Hague programme, which stresses the need for improving the collection, provision, exchange and efficient use of up-to-date information and data on all relevant migratory developments.
Key terms used in the act
Last updated: 17.01.2006