Truemors
Digg
del.icio.us
AddToAny
Write
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
EU backs French plans for immigration controls
by rahul | July 7, 2008 at 02:25 pm | 102 views | 2 comments | 5 recommendations
A French dragted plan on immigration is now under its way for signature in October. Immigration and settlement of skilled workers and professionals in demand in European markets would be the rule.
EU backs tough immigration plans
France's immigration minister said a formal agreement could be signed in October [EPA] The European Union has welcomed sweeping new French-drafted guidelines for controlling immigration.
Brice Hortefeux, France's immigration minister, said: "The interior ministers gave their unanimous accord on the principles, the objectives, the presentation and the structure of the pact. This accord permits the perspective of a signature in mid-October."
Despite international appeals not to do so, the EU's 27 justice and interior ministers signed off the eight-page draft declaration following two days of talks at an EU summit in the French Riviera resort city of Cannes.
The move towards changing immigration policy is one of the first acts of the new French presidency of the EU which began last week.
The European Pact on Immigration and Asylum sets out principles for the EU to manage migration, fight illegal immigration and help development in poor countries that people are leaving or travelling through to get to Europe.
In video
France slammed for creating 'Fortress Europe'
Two lines oTwoUnder the plan, EU nations will tailor legal immigration towards workers or professionals whose skills fit their particular labour needs, favouring those who would stay in their countries long term.
They would also pledge to try to avoid handing out residency permits en masse.
Italy and Spain have angered some of their partners by giving papers to around 700,000 people in recent years.
Refugees will be increasingly obliged to apply for asylum from outside. Some 220,000 people did so last year, although the EU said it would strive to better channel aid to those countries they are fleeing.
July 7, 2008 at 02:25 pm by rahul, 102 views, 2 comments
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 15:30 on July 7th, 2008
rahul, I like this story. It's good stuff. But Canada did it first!
at 15:40 on July 7th, 2008
Barry Aristide, thanks for the good stuff flag and comment. I guess that Canada and Australia were both eager to promote development and urbanization of their great geographical spaces. On the other hand, an ageing and crowded Europe seems to fear immigrants just as it did when the Roman Empire fell under the barbarians. Furthermore, low child birth rates and reluctance to take blue collar jobs make it difficult for the old regeneration to rely in social services and taxes paid by fewer young citizens.