An opportunity and a challenge
Subtitle: migration in the European Union
By: European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication
Series: Europe on the move; Europe on the move
Publisher: Publications Office of the European Union
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Luxembourg
Language: eng
Number of pages: 16
ISBN-13: 9789279126529
Subjects: Emigration and immigration; Government policy; Internal Migration
Other titles: Migration in the European Union
Description: "The European Union has historically attracted millions of immigrants.  Most of them come legally, but there are some who do not. Immigration is both an opportunity and a challenge for Europe.  Legal immigrants are needed to fill gaps in the EU labor force, as the EU's own population grows older and its birth rate declines.  However, the EU needs to curb illegal immigration and cooperate with other countries to arrange the return of irregular immigrants on a voluntary basis.  The EU also has a duty to protect genuine asylum-seekers fleeing persecution or serious harm.  The aim of European leaders is to devise a common strategy, to help each country to cope with the challenges and to benefit from the opportunities. This is why they have agreed on a European Pact on Migration and Asylum."--Publisher's description.
Notes: "Within the European Union, each member state sets its own national immigration policy. However, EU leaders have recognised that dealing with immigration is a common priority and that their countries face similar challenges. They have therefore decided to coordinate important aspects of immigration policy."

"European Union"--Cover.

Maps on p. [3] of cover.

Also freely available online.
Table of contents: title: A tradition of openness; title: A magnet for immigrants; title: Legal immigration is in all our interests; title: No immigration without integration; title: Reducing illegal immigration; title: Asylum : a duty to protect; title: Sharing responsibilities; title: Further reading.