Brussels, 25/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has submitted an action plan to the Council for improving the collection of statistical data on immigration. In is communication, the Commission explains, "The adoption of a coordinated action plan and new legislation will enable the Community to formulate, follow and efficiently evaluate its policies". Current collation is based on a series of informal agreements. The Commission, which complains of a lack of will by Member States to send it all the necessary information, explains that given the differences in Member States, it is difficult to have an accurate view of the situation.
In its communication approved in mid-May, the Commission details the new rules of the monthly, quarterly and annual publication of data, which is expected to be diffused on the Internet. The first annual report, which focused on the situation in 2001, was expected to appear at the beginning of this year. The Commission is suggesting different ways for improving cooperation between the administrations, such as the setting up of a secure Internet site for statistics experts, together with contact points. It is calling for the strengthening of cooperation between third countries and seeks to improve the collation of data on regular entries. For this, it intends launching a pilot project.
The commission is expected to propose a framework regulation on the monthly, quarterly and annual transmission of data on asylum and immigration from administrative sources and national statistics, which will outline the definitions and variables applicable in these collections. "This will allow for greater forecasting and legal security for all the parties concerned". The paper will be proposed at the end of this year, following consultation with all parties involved. The action plan is accompanied by a detailed annex on what measures to take.