Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-10-02-Speech-2-078"
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"en.20011002.3.2-078"2
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"Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are fully aware that this debate addresses one of the most important and ‘hottest’ issues at European level: Common asylum and immigration policy.
This situation is the result of two separate factors: firstly, it has come about because the Treaty of Amsterdam granted new competences to the Community, opening up new possibilities for action on a European scale; and secondly, because there has been a considerable increase in migratory pressures from third countries, the devastating effects of which have been highlighted by certain recent tragic events, such as the massive influx of refugees from the Kosovo crisis and the tragedy at Dover.
It is therefore necessary, for both humanitarian and economic reasons, to define a global policy that is able to effectively manage these migratory flows, which currently constitute a legal vacuum, to which the European Union cannot fail to provide a response. We must take account of the fact that three different types of people are involved in this problem: asylum seekers, temporarily displaced persons and economic migrants. Although the symptoms are similar, it is important to distinguish the causes and find different answers. Confusing the status of these people does not help to solve the problems we are facing, and actually makes them worse. We also know that this external pressure adds to the internal pressure felt by States that are facing a decline in their own population, caused both by a slowdown of population growth and a reduction in the population of working age, with an increasing population of those over the age of 65. Concern is also growing about the sustainability of social security systems. The answer cannot be to make vain attempts at preventing and halting immigration at Europe’s borders. The answer lies, instead, in managing and freezing it at current levels. Hence the need for a carefully thought out, clear and coherent common European policy for the management of migratory flows. In order to prevent new problems emerging, we will have to consider the real labour needs of each Member State and the resources available for the reception and integration of these immigrants. It must be understood that we incline more to the approach advocated by Mr Pirker.
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate Commissioner Vitorino on his announcement today that, within a month, he will be presenting two initiatives on combating illegal immigration and on repatriation. Lastly, I wish to emphasise that we need to adopt a prudent approach to a sensitive issue that requires intelligent answers. It makes more sense, for example, for us to give priority to legalising immigrants who can be integrated into the labour market and who are already on Community territory than encouraging a new wave of immigration."@en1
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