Asylum and immigration were again high on the agenda of the European Council held on 4-5 November 2004 which led to the adoption of the new five year multiannual programme for the field of freedom, justice and security. If approved as expected by the Parliament, the recently nominated JHA Commissioner Franco Frattini will have to work on the following key measures:
- develop a common European asylum system with a common asylum procedure and a uniform status for those who are granted asylum or protection by 2010
- define measures for foreigners to legally work in the EU in accordance with the needs of the labour markets
- establish a European framework to guarantee the successful integration of migrants into host societies
- reinforce partnerships with third countries to better tackle illegal immigration
- establish a policy to expel and return illegal immigrants to their countries of origin
- use of biometrics and information systems
Other main measures concern the strengthening of security by improving exchange of information and reinforcing Europol and the strengthening of justice.
Heads of state and government have agreed to use qualified majority decision-making and co-decision in the fields of asylum, immigration and border control issues by April 2005. Legal immigration will remain as an exception to this rule.
During the summit, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was urged not to use the UK’s 'opt-out' over asylum and immigration to undermine Europe’s new era of cross-border co-operation. The President of the European Council Jan-Peter Balkenende said there had to be "one reality" in Europe on asylum and immigration policy: "We are stressing the importance of following the same line. That is the message to the UK."
