B4-0961, 0962, 0963, 0964 and 0965/98

Resolution on cooperation with Mediterranean countries on matters of migration

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the problem of immigration and on Euro-Mediterranean policy,

- having regard to the Schengen acquis, to be integrated into the framework of the EU, the Dublin Convention on Applications for Asylum, and the Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees,

- having regard to the association agreements with the Mediterranean countries and the Barcelona Agreement,

A. whereas the disembarkation of clandestine immigrants along the Mediterranean coasts of certain Member States of the European Union continues,

B. whereas these disembarkations are undertaken in extremely dangerous conditions for the immigrants, who include women and children,

C. whereas this kind of traffic is often organised by criminal organisations for lucrative ends,

D. whereas in most cases these actions originate in Mediterranean countries and North Africa, especially Tunisia and Morocco, where there are concentrations of illegal immigrants already originating from countries where there are many citizens of non-EU border states who are seeking to escape violence and political repression,

E. stressing that the problems deriving from the migratory flow to the Member States of the EU are not only matters of public order but also require a policy of solidarity and cooperation which governments of the countries concerned, as well as the Union as a whole, should take into consideration,

F. deploring the fact that the Amsterdam Treaty has established a five-year limit for the full integration of policies concerning asylum and immigration,

G. whereas the European Union has negotiated association agreements with all northern countries of the Mediterranean basin; whereas the association agreement with Tunisia has already been ratified,

H. whereas the Barcelona process constitutes a forum for permanent cooperation between the Member States of the EU and the Mediterranean countries,

I. welcoming the recent agreements on this question between certain Member States and governments from several Mediterranean countries,

1. Reiterates that the way of reducing uncontrolled emigration is to find a solution to the political, economic, social and environmental problems behind it in the countries of origin;

2. Stresses the need to create a common EU immigration and asylum policy, on the basis of Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, so as to regulate cooperation between the Member States on the matter;

3. Invites the Commission and the Council, in the framework of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation provided for in the Barcelona process, to promote regular meetings on immigration policy with representatives from the governments concerned;

4. Requests the Council and the Member States most involved as a matter of urgency to reinforce measures in order to monitor illegal trafficking and at the same time to adopt measures to guarantee the security of migrants who are victims of this illegal trade, in agreement with those countries concerned in the most sensitive areas such as the Straits of Gibraltar, the Sicilian Channel and the Aegean Sea;

5. Also requests the Council and Member States to define policies and common actions in order to guarantee the reception of victims of violence and of political repression;

6. Believes that specific monitoring and assistance measures as regards illegal immigrants should be agreed upon, and favours negotiations with the signatory countries of the Barcelona Agreement on specific measures for the return of illegal immigrants;

7. Asks the Commission to insist that third countries, in accordance with the Euro-Mediterranean association agreements and the application thereof, negotiate specific measures for the readmission and integration of illegal immigrants who have been refused the right of entry;

8. Asks the Council and the Commission to better target the available funds for the setting up of multi-purpose reception centres in the areas closest to entry points, with the aim of providing humanitarian assistance to immigrants while they await decisions on their final destinations;

9. Asks the Member States to step up cooperation with the relevant countries with the aim of adopting concrete measures, with the cooperation of Europol, to tackle the role of organised crime in illegal immigration;

10. Calls upon Member States to extend to the Mediterranean countries the experience they have gained with the countries of central and eastern Europe in the matter of practical cooperation against organised crime networks;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States and Mediterranean countries participating in the Barcelona process.