Est. 1min 04-10-2001 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The European Parliament in Strasbourg has adopted a proposal for common EU laws on asylum and immigration. The common laws are expected to improve the distribution of asylum seekers across the EU. Members of the European Parliament (EP) have backed the Commission’s communication on common immigration policy 298 votes in favour, 235 against and 27 abstentions. The report calls on the Commission and Council to lay down uniform European legislation which covers at least: the conditions governing entry and residence for migrant workers; a coherent concept for issuing of visas; a categorized system of residence permits for migrant workers; mobility of third-country nationals holding a residence permit for one Member State. The report says the EU should ensure full interpretation of the Geneva Convention. There should be guarantees to protect individual applicants and the right to appeal against all unsuccessful applications. It also includes such controversial issues as giving “refugee” status to people who are persecuted by non-state agents. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters PositionsSomeMember Stateswill oppose the measures proposed by the parliament and the Commission. Some experts say that 90 percent of asylum seekers trying to settle in Europe are not really persecuted for political reasons. Many job-seekers are trying to enter Europe by pretending they need refuge from persecution. They warn that the new policy will lead to a flood of immigrants. The proposal for a common EU asylum and immigration policy comes at the time whenAustria, Britain, Germany and Italyannounced their own measures to control immigration. BackgroundThe Treaty of Amsterdam established the EU competence for immigration and asylum. The European Council, at its meeting in Tampere in October 1999, agreed to develop a common EU policy on asylum and immigration by 2004. It set out the elements that a common policy should include, such as partnership with countries of origin, a common European asylum system, fair treatment of third country nationals and management of migration flows. The European Commission adopted a Communication on 22 November 2000 on a Community immigration policy.
