Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2007-09-26-Speech-3-046"
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"en.20070926.2.3-046"2
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"Ladies and gentlemen, the shortcomings of European immigration policy and the difficulties experienced so far surrounding joint action have now succeeded in undermining support within society for shared values such as the free movement of citizens within the European Union.
We have opened our internal borders, but we do not yet have a common policy on immigration. This is completely absurd. European citizens, meanwhile, feel that having open borders within the EU leads to unchecked immigration. If we want to maintain peace in our societies and public support for freedom of movement, we need a strong Europe, stronger than it is at present, on the issue of immigration. In this regard we should not forget, however, that citizens of the new Member States still face major restrictions in terms of immigration policy, despite the fact that they are European citizens.
The European People’s Party believes that the following are necessary for an appropriate and transparent common European immigration policy. First: solidarity among the Member States, which would rule out unilateral decisions that affect everyone as a result of the open borders, as in the case of the decision by the Spanish government. Second: human dignity must be the guiding principle.
Third: we must take resolute action against illegal immigration. A fellow Member from the Socialist Group said a little while ago that immigration is not a crime. However, ladies and gentlemen, any person violating European rules and Member States’ rules is indeed committing a criminal offence and this is why we refer to illegal immigration. In order to take action against illegal immigration we need stronger protection of our external borders than we have at present, and statutory provision concerning return of immigrants to their own country.
Fourth: rules on illegal immigration must be reinforced and made more transparent – I am sorry, I meant to say rules on legal immigration – taking greater account of the types of labour needed in our countries.
Fifth: immigration policy must not begin at our borders. It is astounding that although the European Union is one of the largest aid-providing organisations in the world, we do not set many conditions relating to corruption, respect for human rights and democracy in recipient countries. This must be brought to an end, and conditions of this sort must be imposed on recipient countries.
: Europe needs a stronger immigration policy."@en1
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