EU immigration pact must not be one-sided - Main contents

in Nieuws

The European Pact on Asylum and Immigration endorsed today by the Justice Ministers of the Member States speaks of a Europe-wide commitment to a common challenge needing united approach. However, it is the implementation that worries European lawmakers.

ALDE spokesperson on migration Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said: "The European Pact on Asylum and Immigration, setting basic commitments, is to be welcomed. However, I doubt whether it will boost the political willingness of the Member States to swiftly and ambitiously push Europe´s forward looking strategy on asylum and migration. The Council has shown that it excels in making ambitious statements but at the end of the day it all comes down to the transposition of these basic commitments into concrete measures. Too often effective decision-making is hamstrung by the inability of the Member States to really work together on their mutual interests. Political courage is urgently needed."

"European Liberals and Democrats urge the Council, and in particular the French Presidency, to deal with all aspects of immigration to avoid a two-speed approach to the implementation of legislation" said ALDE Leader Graham Watson. "While measures targeting illegal immigration are fast-tracked, those designed to attract highly skilled foreigners and manage legal migration should not be put on the back burner. We will push for equal progress on measures like the blue card scheme alongside the sanctions against employers of illegally-staying entrants.