A report drawn up by London PES Group Member, Claude MORAES, in response to Commission proposals on immigration, integration and employment, was supported by Parliament today in spite of conservative opposition.
Left-Right differences centred on granting the right to vote in local and
European elections to non-EU nationals who are resident in the EU on a regular
basis. In spite of this being overwhelmingly supported in Committee, the EPP
Group tried, unsuccessfully, to have this right taken out of the report in
today's vote.
Parliament agreed to an oral amendment from Mr MORAES stating that 'the fight
against illegal immigration and trafficking in people must not give rise to
a repressive policy aimed at immigrants in irregular circumstances, but should,
rather, target the traffickers and employers who exploit those circumstances.'
Mr MORAES said: "In the run-up to the European elections, we are sending
a clear message in this first-ever report on immigration positively setting
out the case for some economic migration, a partnership with the countries
of origin and a comprehensive integration policy for both new and existing
millions of ethnic minority European citizens."
The report emphasises that immigration should not be viewed purely in terms of its economic potential: instead migration policies should be developed in parallel with additional measures for social, cultural, religious and political integration.
Claude MORAES said: "From the critical integration issues of the wearing of headscarves and the right to religious expression to the need for family reunification for immigrants and the settled ethnic minority communities of Europe , this report signals a major step forward in the EU's approach to one of the most sensitive political issues for Europe today.
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