European Commission Communication on "Integrating migration issues in the EU's relations with third countries"

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The European Commission has published a Communication (COM(2002) 703 final) on so-called "integration" of migration issues in relations with third countries. The Communication has two parts: i) an analysis of migration and "explores ways to help them manage migratory flows", and ii) looks at the use of the EU's financial resources for the "repatriation of immigrants and rejected asylum-seekers", management of external borders and "migration projects in third countries". This is presented "in the context of ongoing cooperation".

The Seville Conclusions (June 2002), which called for such a proposal, went well beyond the imposition of readmission agreements. Under "integrating migration issues" the EU is demanding that any country which is the "source" of a "migratory flow" adopt a whole series of measures to prevent people entering and leaving (the first named countries are: Albania, China, Morocco, Russia and Turkey).

The measures include "joint integrated border management programmes [and] comprehensive control measures". Where these plans "do not provide the expected result" the country will be "invited" to cooperate and adopt further measures or face political and economic sanctions. In effect the EU is seeking to directly influence/determine the internal policies of third countries.

Full analysis to follow.

1. Communication (COM(2002) 703 final) (Word file)
2. Statewatch Background report and analysis on other measures to repatriate migrants and readmission agreements

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