06/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 13-14 September, the Portuguese presidency is holding a high level conference on legal immigration in Lisbon. Developing a policy on legal immigration is one of the priorities set by the European Council in December 2006, in order to prevent illegal immigration and to counter the effects of an ageing population. Two proposals due shortly to be presented by the Commission, the framework directive on the common rights of third country nationals working legally in a member state and the directive on conditions allowing a highly qualified worker to enter or to remain in the EU, will provide topics for debate among ministers, high-ranking officials, experts and academics. Consultation on these two proposals will continue within the Commission until the middle of September. The third annual report on immigration and integration, due to be adopted on 12 September, will however, be available. For further information, go to http://www.mai.gov.pt (ab)