Immigration is “an opportunity, not a threat”, says Frattini 

The hearing, held on 14 June 2005, invited views on the Commission green paper on economic migration published in January 2005 (see Economic Migration LinksDossier). Introducing the issues, Frattini outlined the Commission’s provisional view that:

• procedures for admitting third country workers should be harmonised across member states;
• an EU green card should be considered;
• fast-track procedures for certain skilled workers should be introduced;
• mobility between member states should be encouraged;
• the community preference clause, giving EU citizens first option on job vacancies, could be expanded to third-country nationals with a long work history in the EU;
• work and residence permits should be combined into one.

The Commission is likely to face stiff opposition from member states worried about high unemployment. Commissioner Frattini was at pains to stress that concerns over migrants overwhelming the job market and displacing EU citizens would be fully considered.

The Commission will transpose the results of the discussions into a policy plan on legal migration by the end of the year.