euro|topics - EU immigration pact signed

Main focus of Tuesday, July 8, 2008

EU immigration pact signed

At informal talks in Cannes, France, Europe's interior ministers have reached agreement on a "Pact on Immigration and Asylum" which sets out guidelines for a common immigration policy. The document, the first major project of the French EU presidency, was accepted only after vigorous debate and several amendments. What does Europe's press think of the result?

The Irish Times - Ireland

For the Irish Times, a pan-European "Immigration pact" cannot be the sole solution: "All governments have a right and a duty to regulate who comes to live in their country and under what conditions. But, in this very unequal world, industrialised and wealthy countries also have a responsibility to share, as well as to trade. ... Creating a Fortress Europe will not resolve that situation. Rather, it will encourage people-trafficking and facilitate a negative view of the EU. There is talk of building a partnership between EU states and the countries of origin of immigrants. Any such partnership should focus as much on economic aid and development as the repatriation of illegal immigrants." (08/07/2008)

die tageszeitung - Germany

For the left-wing daily die tageszeitung, the EU immigration pact represents a defeat for France's EU Council presidency: "After just a week in office, the new EU presidency has been brought back to reality with a bump. Nicolas Sarkozy saw his 'migration pact' as a chance to solve all the problems that have been plaguing Europe's governments for years: the overcrowded refugee camps, dangerous escape routes and the millions of lives being lived out in a grey zone without rights or social security were to be erased with one bold stroke of the pen. ... But people cannot ... be integrated into an economic system like goods and then sent away when their sell-by date has run out. ... Europe needs a common immigration policy. But it must adhere to humanitarian principles and cannot be allowed to lose sight of the fates of individuals. Only then is there a chance that all the member states can agree on a common legal framework." (08/07/2008)

La Razón - Spain

The conservative newspaper La Razón is happy with this attempt at adopting a common approach to European immigration policy: "In answer to those who view this document as an effort to transform Europe into a fortress that disdains the rights of immigrants, EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot has summed up the spirit [of the pact] perfectly: 'Immigration is not a threat, but it must be regulated'. It is clear that Europe - and Spain - need foreign workers to maintain growth. That is why we need common rules to meet this challenge globally, and with a single voice. ... Disregarding for a moment all the political opportunism, the immigration pact is welcome because it provides a common answer to one of the major challenges facing the EU and formulates immigrants' rights as well as their duty to integrate ... in a balanced way." (08/07/2008)

I Kathimerini - Greece

The newspaper I Kathimerini describes the signing of the immigration and asylum agreement as "hypocrisy". "Are we to believe there is a single European head of government who really wants Indian computer experts and ... Russian mathematicians in his country? ... We should not delude ourselves. The goal of this tough policy is not to limit migration, but to penalise it, so that the majority of migrants find themselves in the position of hunted animals. ... The authorities should not hunt the illegal immigrants but the illegal employers. From the industrialist who employs workers at half price right through to each and every one of us who employs an Albanian bricklayer, an Indian watchman for his summer residence or a Ukrainian maid without social security." (08/07/2008)

» To the complete press review of Tuesday, July 8, 2008

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