EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/810

(2004/C 78 E/0859)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3408/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(17 November 2003)

Subject: Illegal immigration — German Consular Services

The media have reported that German consular services in countries like Ukraine, Moldavia and Russia have been accused of being the principal culprits for the increase of pockets of illegal immigrants from Eastern Europe in Portugal, by the Portuguese Foreigners and Frontiers Service, General Labour Inspectorate and the High Commissariat for Immigration and Ethnic Minorities.

According to the report drawn up by these Portuguese institutions, entitled ‘Immigration from the East — a new fact, opportunities and challenges’, the negligence of the German consular services has enabled Eastern European citizens to enter the Schengen area, as tourists, and then stay on as illegal immigrants.

That this is the truth of the matter is confirmed by the survey carried out by Coimbra University's Social Studies Centre, using 735 Eastern European immigrants, which has highlighted the fact that six out of ten entered Portugal with visas issued by the German authorities.

What information does the Commission have as to the allegedly negligent actions of the German consular services in the countries of Eastern Europe?

What measures has it taken or does it intend to take to alert the German authorities, and make them aware of the need to exercise care and rigour?

What information does it have as to recent illegal immigration flows, and the means used to enter the Schengen area?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2004)

The Commission has no information on the presence in Portugal of illegal immigrants from Eastern European countries who allegedly travelled on Schengen visas issued by Germany. It intends to seek information on this matter from the two Member States concerned and will inform the Honourable Member of the outcome of those enquiries.

An exchange of available information on illegal immigration takes place on a monthly basis within the Centre for Information, Discussion and Exchange on the Crossing of Frontiers and Immigration (Cirefi) working group of the Council. Furthermore, Europol regularly provides a bulletin on illegal immigration with a focus on criminal networks involved in human trafficking.

In addition, the Commission tabled on 25 November 2003 a proposal for a Council Decision establishing a secure web-based Information and Co-ordination Network for Member States' Migration Management Services (1). The Network is designed primarily to facilitate the exchange of strategic and tactical information on irregular or illegal migratory flows and trends.

Moreover, cooperation between immigration liaison officers posted to third countries is also relevant for the exchange of information on such developments. The Justice and Home Affairs Council reached political agreement on the Greek initiative for a Council Regulation on the creation of an immigration liaison officers' network on 2/3 October 2003. Its objective is to formalise the existence and functioning of such a network, drawing on experience gained with ongoing projects.

(1) COM(2003) 727 final.