EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/388

(2004/C 84 E/0450)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0392/04

by Mogens Camre (UEN) to the Commission

(6 February 2004)

Subject: The EU's continuing capacity to receive large quotas of immigrants from third-world countries

According to Eurostat, the population of EU-15 rose in 2003 by 1 276 200 to 380,8 million, with 982 600 persons or 77 % of this growth being made up of immigrants to the EU, mainly from third world countries.

At the same time, the Head of the UN Population Office, Joseph Chamie, has published information showing that the EU's population figures have been on the decline since 1998. Joseph Chamie's statement is then used to claim that the EU needs immigration from third-world countries.

A negative population trend has indeed been recorded in certain east and central European countries and, if Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are counted as part of Europe, there has been a slight fall in the population figure for the European area as a whole although this is clearly not the case for EU-15.

It is well known that the immigration flows from the third world are directed towards EU-15 in particular. In addition, the Commission's own analyses have concluded that the changes in the age structure of the population in the years to come mean that the EU will need to see a larger proportion of the active age groups entering the labour market and remaining there longer because immigrants from the third world cannot, as a general rule, replace the skilled Europeans who leave the labour market early or stay away from it altogether.

Will the Commission state whether it is of the opinion that the heavily overpopulated cities in the EU, the overloaded transport systems, the overstretched welfare systems, unemployment in the EU and the major social and crime issues associated with the EU's immigrant communities indicate that the EU should continue to receive such large quotas of people from non-western cultures?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(10 March 2004)

In its communication on immigration, integration and employment of 3 June 2003 (1), the Commission referred to demographic estimates showing that the population of Europe is ageing and is set to decline between now and 2010-2020. The extent of these demographic developments enables us to predict that the Lisbon target of a 70 % employment rate will be achieved by 2010, or even surpassed.

Although the economic implications of these socio-demographic changes will become apparent only over time, increasingly frequent labour shortages have already been observed in several Member States. The Commission considers that, even if immigration is not a realistic solution that will entirely offset the effects of demographic ageing on the employment market, labour migration can help to reduce the shortages in the short term. It can also contribute to spreading over a longer period the repercussions of the demographic transition which will take place between 2010 and 2030.

A common immigration policy that is well controlled, implemented at Community level and backed by an ambitious policy on integration is necessary in order to respond properly to these needs.

(1) COM(2003) 336 final.