Commission wants co-ordinated immigration policy

The European Commission launched a broad debate on asylum and immigration with the publication of two new communications. Following up on the conclusions of the Tampere European Council in October 1999, the communications on asylum and on immigration underline the Commission's resolve to harmonise and co-ordinate national legislations on immigration rules and procedures.

The Commission also thinks that, due to the challenges of future labour shortages and the expected decline in population, the current approach to immigration is no longer appropriate. It proposes a balanced approach of increasing chances for immigrants to come to the EU and effective policies of integration.

The broad public debate on these issues should be concluded at the Brussels European Council in December 2001. It will lead to several legislative proposals and the creation of a genuine common asylum and immigration policy.