Brussels, 05/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 4 November, MEPs on the civil liberties committee (Libe) at the European Parliament (EP) gave their support to the European “blue card” project for attracting highly qualified immigrants to the EU. A definitive vote by the EP on this project is expected during the plenary session on 17-20 November in Strasbourg. The directive is due to enter into force in May 2011 and should enable “blue card” holders to access other member states of the Union, after having spent three years in an initial state of residency. The card will be valid for three years and renewable for two. By adopting the consultation report of Ewa Klamt (EPP-ED, Germany) by 30 votes for, 0 against, with 11 abstentions, civil liberties committee MEPs sought to clarify blue card eligibility requirements for the applicant's contract, which must guarantee an income of at least 1.7 times the average gross salary in the member state of residence (1.5 for the Council), add MEPs, who stipulate that this salary must not be lower than that of a comparable worker in the host country. MEPs consider that member states should be able to decide how many blue cards they wish to grant each year. MEPs say that member states should not actively encourage the "brain drain" of third countries, and they also reaffirm the principle of Community preference. The Council of the EU is expected to ratify a political agreement on this text at the JHA Council on 27-28 November when the last remaining reservations will have been lifted (EUROPE 9767). (B.C./transl.rh)