Labour market performance and migration flows - European ...

European CommissionOccasional Paper 60, Volume Idialogue mandatory. 58 As a forum for such dialogue, specific working groups (subcommittees) onmigration and social affairs have been established in the framework of the EMAAs with all the AMCsbut Syria. But sectoral policy dialogue on social issues has been too focused on the rights ofestablished migrant workers and migration, 59 and lacks any institutionalised, legally-bindingmechanism allowing for systematic and structured follow-up and monitoring (in fact, Sub-Committeeshave no decision power).However, a new impetus inspired by the Global Approach to Migration promoted by EUstakeholders has been played out in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership in this fieldsince 2005, both as a consequence of the new pillar on cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs and ofthe implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Indeed, in its launch phase the EuropeanNeighbourhood Policy raised new expectations regarding human mobility among EU neighbours. 60Contrary to the initial EMP which mainly addressed the integration of third-country nationals and thefight against irregular migration, the European Neighbourhood Policy accentuates the importance ofan integrated approach to migration in the EU-Arab Mediterranean relations including the movementof persons. In the Action Plans, new opportunities for legal economic migration are envisaged as partof a balanced approach and a positive option for both origin and host countries. Thus, the ENPstrengthens the foreign agenda of migration and introduces mutual commitments with a view todeveloping incremental joint migration management in the “illegal” but also the legal aspects.Indeed cooperation in the field of justice, security and migration is at the top of the agenda of theENP. For instance, the European Commission, in its 2006 Communication “On Strengthening theEuropean Neighbourhood Policy”, 61 identified the following “action points” concerning “Mobility andmigration”:- Visa facilitation, removing obstacles to legitimate travel, e.g. for business, educational, tourism,official purposes.- Ensure well-managed mobility and migration, addressing readmission, cooperation in fightingillegal immigration, and effective and efficient border management.In its 2007 Communication “A Strong European Neighbourhood Policy” 62 the EuropeanCommission noted that “the promotion of mobility will go hand in hand with the commitment of ourpartners to increase security and justice and fight illegal migration, with efforts to strengthen ourneighbours’ capacity to deal with migratory flows to their countries, and with the security ofdocuments.” Therefore, it urged the EU Council and the European Parliament to adopt “its 2006‘package’ on legislative proposals aiming at revising the European Visa policy, ensuring a high levelof security within the common area and simplifying the procedures for visa applicants.”It must be also stressed that this issue is one of the priority areas of the ENP Regional IndicativeProgramme 2007-2013 63 which identifies a number of concrete projects and programmes. Legalmigration is part of each of the Action Plans negotiated with the AMCs included in the ENP. The ENP58 See article 69 of the EC/Tunisia EMAA and correspondent provisions in the others agreements.59 For a complete list of Sub-Committees, see European Commission (2008, pp. 33-35).60 The EU Commission Communication on “Wider Europe” (2003) stresses that: “The EU should aim to develop a zone of prosperity and a friendly neighbourhood – a ‘ring of friends’ -with whom the EU enjoys close, peaceful and co-operative relations. In return for concrete progress demonstrating shared values and effective implementation of political, economic andinstitutional reforms, including in aligning legislation with the acquis, the EU’s neighbourhood should benefit from the prospect of closer economic integration with the EU. To this end,Russia, the countries of the Western NIS and the Southern Mediterranean should be offered the prospect of a stake in the EU’s Internal Market and further integration and liberalisation topromote the free movement of – persons, goods, services and capital (four freedoms)”.61 COM(2006)726 final, 4 December 2006, http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/pdf/com06_726_en.pdf.62 COM(2007) 774 final, 05/12/2007, http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/pdf/com07_774_en.pdf.63 ENPI Regional Strategy Paper (2007-2013) and Regional Indicative Programme (2007-2010) for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/pdf/country/enpi_euromed_rsp_en.pdf.94