EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 70/88

(2004/C 70 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2347/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Deaths of immigrants drowned in the seas of the south of the EU when attempting to reach the coast in search of work and a new life

In recent weeks, in the latest in a long line of similar incidents, hundreds of people have drowned in the seas of the south of the EU when attempting to reach the coast in search of work and a new life. Many of the people who died were women, some of them pregnant, and children. Regardless of the approach taken to regulating the entry of immigrants — integration, asylum, passports, management centres, repatriation, etc. — we are facing an extremely serious humanitarian problem which cannot leave either European society or still less the EU institutions indifferent, and which requires an urgent solution. What political and humanitarian measures and initiatives is the Commission taking to prevent these tragic deaths?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(26 September 2003)

As in the summer months of recent years the Union is experiencing an increasing inflow of illegal immigrants by sea. The passage is mostly organised by ruthless criminal networks involved in the smuggling of human beings. Despite moderate weather conditions in summer, some of the vessels used by the criminal networks are unseaworthy, which has led to severe humanitarian tragedies.

As stated in the Commission's reply to the written questions E-3112/02 by Mr Tannock (1), P-0291/03 by Mr Pisicchio (2) and E-2133/03 by Mr Borghezio (3), illegal immigration by sea is given serious and continuous attention within the Commission and important steps to develop a Community policy framework have recently been taken.

Three action plans — one on illegal immigration specifically, one on integrated border management and one on return policy — define Union action and a schedule for common measures in the fight against illegal immigration. In preparation for the European Council in Thessaloniki on 19/20 June 2003, the Commission presented the current state of play in this area (4). In addition, the Thessaloniki European Council clarified in its conclusions the general roadmap for the ongoing activities.

In addition, the Commission has just presented to the Council a study on maritime borders which contains a thorough analysis of the phenomenon and a number of recommendations with regard to improving ship security in order to avoid these tragic incidents. The study considers possible developments in maritime law as well as on improved regional co-operation, in particular in the Mediterranean context.

In addition, the Commission has responded to the increasing influx from Libya and is preparing a second mission in close consultation with the Member States after an initial exploratory mission in May 2003.

The Commission considers also that, in order to develop an effective policy on fighting illegal migration, co-operation with third counties is essential and will require increased attention in the coming years. In its Communication on integrating migration issues in the European Union's relations with third countries (5), the Commission presented the policy approach it will take. In this framework, the proposal for a Regulation establishing a programme for financial and technical assistance to third countries in the area of migration (6), and sent to the Council and the Parliament, aims to provide the financial means for such co-operation. Once this Regulation is adopted, the Community will have a specific financial instrument to assist third countries in their efforts to better managing migratory flows in all their dimensions, including illegal migration.

This Regulation will be the follow-up to the pilot phase of the B7-667 budget line ‘Co-operation with third countries in the field of asylum and migration’. In this pilot phase various projects to assist third countries in their efforts to fight illegal migration have already started. In line with the balanced and integrated approach as set out in its December Communication, the Community co-finances both a French and Spanish led co-operation project with Morocco that aims to improve Moroccan border control and two projects that aimed to strengthen local development and enhance job opportunities. The MEDA programme for migration management in Morocco further builds on these first projects. The Commission intends to step up its efforts to elaborate similar migration management projects in other Northern Mediterranean countries in full partnership with the countries concerned.

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 92.

(2) OJ C 280 E, 21.11.2003, p. 46.

(3) See page 77.

(4) COM(2003) 323 final.

(5) COM(2002) 703 final.

(6) COM(2003) 355 final.