Brussels, 24/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner with responsibility for immigration, Jacques Barrot, issued a warning on 17 July against risks related to immigration policy in Europe. Whereas at least 4000 people have lost their lives since 2002 trying to cross the Mediterranean on makeshift boats, "the summer could once again be the time for immigration tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea", he warned in an open letter published in Le Monde (our translation throughout). Beyond this immediate danger, to which he naturally attempted to provide responses, the Commissioner believes that the issue of immigration brings with it three risks which must be avoided at all costs. "The first risk is that of a negative vision of migratory flows, made worse by the context of economic crisis. We need immigration in order to avoid a demographic crash in Europe, which threatens our economies and social protection systems", he stressed. The second risk, he added, is that of confusion between immigration and asylum, exacerbated by the composite nature of the flows of migrants arriving in Europe. "However, the economic emigrant is not the same thing as a refugee fleeing his country, threatened by persecution brought about by war or terror against minorities", Mr Barrot stressed. Finally, the third risk to which he referred is "believing that the management of migratory flows and asylum rights can be resolved only at national level, without extremely close European coordination. This fragmentation of migration policy makes no sense whatsoever in the Schengen zone without borders". (B.C./trans.fl)