WRITTEN QUESTION E-3773/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Council (24 November 1997)

Subject: Illegal immigration to the EU and unemployment

Repeated public opinion polls in most EU countries clearly show that one of the most serious problems for European citizens today is illegal immigration.

It has become particularly acute during the present decade: whereas in 1990 some 30 000 persons were prevented from entering Europe, three years later the equivalent figure is 200 000. It is calculated that between 1991 and 1995 some three million persons entered the EU, and this has had an obvious impact as regards the rise in unemployment for the average European.

Will the Council say what measures it intends to take to ensure that the solidarity which the Union shows towards immigrants from third countries is matched by an expression of interest in the fate of the average European citizen who has to shoulder the cost burden of meeting the Maastricht criteria and incurs the additional disadvantage of being unable to find work and remaining unemployed for long periods of time?

Answer (26 February 1998)

1. The Honourable Member well knows the importance which the Member States attach to fundamental social rights and economic and social progress for their peoples. The Treaty of Amsterdam, as signed, places at the top of the list of the Union's objectives that of promoting economic and social progress and a high level of employment, in particular through the strengthening of economic and social cohesion and through the establishment of economic and monetary union. The EC Treaty as amended in Amsterdam will contain a new Title on employment.

Combating unemployment has therefore become a priority for the European Union. The Extraordinary European Council on Employment (Luxembourg, 20 and 21 November 1997) was a reflection of that concern and determination. It concluded that, pending ratification of the employment provisions of the Amsterdam Treaty, and in order to mobilize all means available for combating unemployment, the method provided for in the future Article 128 of the Treaty would be applied straight away in practice and by consensus. The European Council therefore agreed on 'employment guidelines' based directly on the experience acquired in multilateral surveillance of employment policies.

2. The European Union has also adopted measures to combat clandestine immigration, residence and work under Title VI of the Treaty. Cooperation among the Member States in this area has led to the following instruments being adopted:

- Council Recommendation of 30 November 1994 concerning the adoption of a standard travel document for the expulsion of third-country nationals(OJ C 274, 19.9.1996)

- Council Recommendation (96/C 5/01) of 22 December 1995 on harmonizing means of combating illegal immigration and illegal employment and improving the relevant means of control(OJ C 5, 10.1.1996)

- Council Recommendation (96/C 5/02) of 22 December 1995 on concerted action and cooperation in carrying out expulsion measures(OJ C 5, 10.1.1996)

- Council Recommendation of 27 September 1996 on combating the illegal employment of third-country nationals(OJ C 304, 14.10.1996)

- Council Decision of 16 December 1996 on monitoring the implementation of instruments adopted by the Council concerning illegal immigration, readmission, the unlawful employment of third-country nationals and cooperation in the implementation of expulsion ordersOJ L 342, 31.12.1996)

- Council Resolution of 4 December 1997 on measures to be adopted on the combating of marriages of convenience(OJ C 382, 16.12.1997).