Brussels, 08/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - Addressing the opening of the 2nd UN World Assembly on Ageing on 8 April (see EUROPE of 6 April, p.17), Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou said that Europe was one of the regions of the world where the population is ageing and by 2050, one person in three will be over 60, and one in 10 over 80, the vast majority women. All of this, she noted, has major economic and social implications which have to be addressed. The problem of ageing was only experienced in the developed world a few years ago, but is now hitting developing countries too, noted Ms Diamantopoulou (see EUROPE of 22 March, p.11). "The policy implications are clear. We need to bring our populations back into balance. And we need to take a much more positive view on immigration", said Ms Diamantopoulou. Echoing Antonio Vitorino, Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner, the Commissioner said that to have an effective labour market that takes accounts of everyone's needs, a European immigration policy has to be applied and managed to strengthen labour market access, especially incorporating women and the elderly. Even countries like Denmark, she said, which are close to the Lisbon targets in terms of employment, will face a considerable demographic problem in a few years time if a suitable immigration policy does not exist.