# CE2004078EN.01069101.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/691 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/691

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(2004/C 78 E/0737)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3636/02

by Niall Andrews (UEN) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject:   Humanitarian aid and immigration controls

Subject:

Given the Commission's welcome views on the issue of the link between development aid and trade, can the Commission state its views on a suggestion put forward by the Irish Minister for Justice that development aid be linked to the recipient's emigration controls and Ireland's immigration controls?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(17 January 2003)

(17 January 2003)

In its recent Communication on ‘integrating migration issues in the Union relations with third countries’, the Commission has proposed a three-pronged strategy to step up cooperation with third countries in the area of migration:

| — | first, a balanced overall approach which addresses the root causes of migratory movements. The Community's action in this area is substantial and cannot be underestimated. Its external cooperation and development programmes and policies aimed at promoting human rights, bolstering democracy, combating poverty, preventing conflicts and improving the economic and social situation in general tackle the main factors contributing to migratory pressures in third countries and therefore exert an indirect effect on those pressures; |
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first, a balanced overall approach which addresses the root causes of migratory movements. The Community's action in this area is substantial and cannot be underestimated. Its external cooperation and development programmes and policies aimed at promoting human rights, bolstering democracy, combating poverty, preventing conflicts and improving the economic and social situation in general tackle the main factors contributing to migratory pressures in third countries and therefore exert an indirect effect on those pressures;

| — | second, a partnership on migration stemming from a definition of common interests with third countries. The objective of more effectively managing migration flows requires the Community to continue integrating migration issues into its political dialogue with third countries and regions. That dialogue should focus not only on illegal immigration but also on the channels for legal immigration; |
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second, a partnership on migration stemming from a definition of common interests with third countries. The objective of more effectively managing migration flows requires the Community to continue integrating migration issues into its political dialogue with third countries and regions. That dialogue should focus not only on illegal immigration but also on the channels for legal immigration;

| — | third, specific and concrete initiatives to assist third countries in increasing their capacity in the area of migration management. Since the European Council meeting in Tampere, the Commission has endeavoured to integrate specifically the topic of migration into its cooperation programmes with third countries. |
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third, specific and concrete initiatives to assist third countries in increasing their capacity in the area of migration management. Since the European Council meeting in Tampere, the Commission has endeavoured to integrate specifically the topic of migration into its cooperation programmes with third countries.

In its communication, the Commission favours a positive approach, based on support and incentives to partner countries with whom co-operation on migration issues is to be improved. The Commission holds the view that punitive actions against countries with limited migration management capacities are counterproductive and should be avoided.

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