Brussels, 17/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 18 November, the European Commission presented its new “approach to migration and mobility”. This updates its previous strategy of 2005, the “approach to migration”. The Commission's main guidelines were previously explained by Commissioner Cecilia Malmström last May, in a communication on “dialogue on migration, mobility and security” with countries from the southern Mediterranean (this text had been commissioned by the Council following the large numbers of migrants arriving on Lampedusa, in particular). The Commission is proposing to examine “mobility partnerships” with countries that have experienced the Arab revolutions and also with the EU's other European neighbours, candidate countries and other partners. As indicated last May, the Commission is proposing to work with Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.
The Commission's idea is to strengthen legal immigration channels (through visa facilitation programmes), whilst ensuring that these countries respect their obligations in terms of managing immigration flows and fighting against illegal immigration (readmission agreements). (SP/transl.fl)