Statement by EU Commission Vice-President Frattini: EU Action on Immigration

"Immigration is a cross border issue which can only be effectively addressed in a cross border, European, comprehensive and integrated manner. Flowing from this recognition, the European Commission had decided today to establish, at the highest possible level, a Commissioners Group on Migration Issues, under the coordination of Vice President Franco Frattini, bringing together all policy areas implicated including development and external relations. The Group will meet for the first time before the Tampere JLS Summit of 21/22 September 2006.

Indeed, the Spanish problem is a European problem, as is the Maltese, the Italian or the Greek. Certain Member States should not carry an excessive burden vis-à-vis others only because of their geographical location. All EU external borders must be protected and all EU Member States have to contribute to this objective

This political consideration forms the basis of the notion that I have called "Solidarity in action". Over the summer, this notion was put in practice and this is something really innovative for the European Union . It is indeed the first time that countries, such as Finland, provide technical and operational assistance to other Member States which have become the first destination of illegal immigration flows.

The HERA and the JASON operations are pioneer operations, which surely will have their child diseases and their limitations. Yet they represent a first, concrete answer. Perhaps, it may not be strong enough to face the growing flows of illegal immigrants, but I cannot subscribe to those comments which dismiss this sort of operations as "useless activities". I believe that we should assess, once completed, the results of these operations. This overall evaluation should examine their advantages and disadvantages. The final result would be that, in the future, we will be able to adjust the EU strategy accordingly.

I fully understand the frustration of the Spanish government and of the Canary Islands regional government. Indeed the citizens of the Canary Islands, of Malta or those of Lampedusa continue to bear the brunt of this dramatic situation and I have to admit that a lasting solution to this thorny problem will require constant efforts and substantial resources. There is no quick fix. Yet I wish to put on the record that the Commission has done and will keep on doing its utmost to rise up to this formidable challenge. We will continue to help, with our political and financial tools, any EU country which requires assistance. I am personally committed to increasing those "tools" and the tangible result of my efforts is the "Solidarity programme", which will start in 2007. In this context I have decided to create, in an unprecedented move, 4 very substantially funded funds which give concrete manifestations to the notion of solidarity in action. I refer to the European Integration Fund, the European Return Fund, the European Refugee fund and the European External Border Management Fund. Spain and others countries affected by extraordinary migration pressure can start benefiting, as of 2007, from these funds in a much more substantial way than they can do now.

In addition to Commission's initiatives, it is essential that all Member States continue to show their political readiness to share the heavy burden which is now carried by a limited number of Member States, which do their best to protect the EU external borders. Member States have to make available experts, means and financial resources to help those Member States which are adversely affected by illegal immigration flows. I intend to reiterate this call during the first meeting of Ministers of Home Affairs and Justice when they come together in Tampere on 21 September 2006. I think that is the appropriate place and time to jointly address crisis situations which concern or indeed should all of us.

Finally, we all now and realise that the real solution in addressing the migration pressure from Africa to the EU does not lie in more boats or more money only. Eventually we need to take away the very reasons why people feel compelled to leave their home and embark on an extremely dangerous journey to the EU. In this context I attach great importance to the Rabat Conference of 11 July where some 56 countries of origin, transit and destination came together and agreed on a very concrete Action Plan. At the time I called for a Political Task Force which would ensure that that political momentum would be maintained and that concrete and tangible results would be made possible. I am personally committed to ensuring that such political task force does not remain a nice simple idea but it will be put into practice very soon."

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• EU Presidency Statement - Strengthening of Security and Cooperation in the Mediterranean Region (23/10/2006)
• Entry into force of European rules on the qualification and status of persons in need of international protection (10/10/2006)
• "Management of Migration flows" - Speech by EU Commission VP Frattini (27/9/2006)
• EU Commission President Barroso calls for an intensified EU response to tackle illegal immigration (7/9/2006)
• High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (5/9/2006)
• Discours du Vice-Président Franco Frattini: « Rabat : une occasion extraordinaire qui s'offre à l'Afrique et à l'Europe pour une gouvernance commune des flux migratoires ».  (10/7/2006)
• Migration, External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy - Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner (24/1/2006)