WRITTEN QUESTION E-0600/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 March 2002)

Subject: Poverty and emigration from the Maghreb countries to the EU

The previous Spanish government passed a law preventing the return of economic migrants from Spain to North Africa, many of whom subsequently travel through Europe to countries such as Belgium, France and the UK. Does the Commission believe that this law is consistent with Spain's obligations to other Member States under the Dublin Convention and under the Treaties, and has the Commission raised the implications of this law with the Spanish government?

As a matter of general policy, does the Commission believe that the most appropriate solution to poverty in the Maghreb region is not to make porous the external borders of the European Union, with all the problems which that can cause for Member States, but to encourage economic and political reform, respect for good governance and human rights, together with the economic investment which that will bring, and to assist these countries by progressively opening the EU's own markets, including its agricultural markets, so that they can feel the full benefits of economic liberalisation and not feel excluded from large protectionist trading blocs?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2002)

The Honourable Member is probably referring to the Aliens' Law Act 4/2000 of 4 January 2000. Under that Act, the absence of a valid residence permit was not a sufficient ground for expulsion out of Spain. This provision did not run contrary to the Dublin Convention as it did not affect Spain's obligation to acknowledge its responsibility for examining the application for asylum of the third-country nationals who had entered the Union through Spain's external borders, nor did it infringe other obligations of Spain under the Treaty. The Honourable Member might be interested in the fact that this provision was abolished by the Act 8/2000 of 22 December 2000.

The Commission fully shares the opinion of the Honourable Member on the needs to pursue a comprehensive approach towards the phenomenon of migration. His remarks are perfectly in line with the conclusions of the Tampere European Council of October 1999 which stressed that partnership with countries of origin is the first element in the development of a common Union asylum and migration policy.

The comprehensive approach to migration issues was also advocated in the action plans prepared by the High Level Working Group on asylum and migration and that were adopted by the Council in October 1999. In line with the Tampere conclusions a policy is formulated that combines activities aimed at reducing poverty, improving living conditions and job opportunities and the promotion of the respect of human rights with measures in the area of freedom, security and justice.

The implementation of the Association Agreements with Tunisia and Morocco and the initialling of the Agreement with Algeria for the achievement of a Free Trade Area in 2010 will provide opportunities for sustainable economic growth of the Maghreb countries. The impact of the above agreements will be further enhanced by the agricultural agreements with Tunisia and with Morocco (negotiations on-going).

In addition, the financial co-operation under the Meda budget line is assisting the Southern Mediterranean countries to implement economic, social and political reforms. The Commission is fully aware that the problem of migration can only be tackled successfully through enhanced socio-economic development and prosperity in the partner countries. Meda financial co-operation is contributing to strengthen the competitiveness of partner countries' economies and attract investments, to create employment and growth and to improve living conditions of the population, especially in disadvantaged areas. Total Meda funds committed for the three Maghreb countries Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia since 1995 amount to EUR 1 765 million. This financial assistance is complemented by European Investment Bank (EIB) loans to finance economic infrastructure, environmental investments and the development of private sector enterprises.

The Association agreements also provide the framework to organise a comprehensive dialogue on migration in which the socio-economic dimension, legal and illegal migration are considered. The dialogue with Morocco has already started and a special joint working party on social affairs and migration has started its work.

The three principal dimensions of migration are also reflected in the financial co-operation with Morocco under the Meda programme. Roughly one third of the entire bilateral Meda assistance to Morocco has so far been directly geared towards the development of the Northern provinces which are particularly hit by widespread poverty and high migration flows.

Following the Union-Tunisia Association Council of 29 January 2002, it is to be expected that the bilateral dialogue on migration between the Union and Tunisia would be started later this year.

The need for a comprehensive approach to migration is also reflected in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership as it was established at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November 1995. Euro-Med partners agree that in order to be effective, a political dialogue should address the respect for democratic principles and fundamental rights, economic co-operation and social and cultural subjects in a comprehensive manner. In order to promote the policies in the area of Justice and Home Affairs in the wider framework of the Barcelona process, Euro-Mediterranean partners are working hard to establish a regional program which would also include migration. In this program, expected to be adopted during the next meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs that will be held in Valencia on 22 and 23 April, the comprehensive approach is emphasised, one of its main objectives being to achieve sustainable development leading to long-term stability and prosperity.