Brussels, 07/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 7 June, the European Commission presented an action plan for integrating third country nationals and facilitating their economic and social integration in the member states. This is being done by way of a legal migration package that also includes revision of the "European blue card" directive (see other article).
The action plan defines practical operational support and financial measures that will be introduced at a Union level to accompany member states in their integration efforts, explained the Commission, even if these policies will remain within the scope of member states.
The proposed actions focus on: preliminary integration measures at the outset and on arrival, particularly for people with an obvious need for international protection and who are the subject of resettlement; education, employment and professional training; access to essential services such as accommodation and health; active participation and social inclusion.
In a press release, the Commission explained that as part of the new strategy for skills in Europe that is going to be unveiled on Friday 10 June (see EUROPE 11566), the Commission will also promote labour market integration through different tools for improving migrants' skills, as well as recognising and using their existing qualifications.
In 2015, 20 million citizens from third countries were living in the EU legally out of a total population of 508 million inhabitants. Their employment levels are lower than those of EU nationals but this disparity is beginning to lessen. According to a Commission study, the economic impact of migrant flows observed in 2015 is expected to be slightly positive, with a potential rise of 0.2% in GDP by 2017, on the condition that integration policies are introduced effectively. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)