EUROPEAN COUNCIL - IMMIGRATION : SUMMIT APPROVES NEW MIGRATION MEASURES.

The European Council on 15 December gave clear approval to stronger EU policies to tackle migration issues. There should be a "global approach" with closer links to other policy areas, especially development, reinforced border control, a greater role for Frontex, greater cooperation and information exchange between member states, a common European asylum policy, and a new joint approach to legal migration.

The Council is also seeking a 'partnership' with African and Mediterranean countries. "We agreed to deepen dialogue with third countries," said Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen. "There was a common view that well-managed migration policy can benefit both member states and third countries." Work will commence at the first meeting, in July 2007, of the Global Forum on International Migration and Development, in Belgium, and at an EU-Africa summit under the Portuguese EU Presidency in the second half of 2007.

For Spanish leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the European Council was a success. "Spain will be one of the major beneficiaries, receiving some 35% of the fund for border control," said Zapatero. "This is a very positive signal with respect to one of the most important issues affecting Spain." For Zapatero, Spain is a major driving force behind the new policy. The Spanish prime minister recalled that Frontex will receive an increase in funding from 22 million to 34 million, counting 100 officials next year. His German counterpart, Angela Merkel, conceded that, despite good progress, Frontex funding is not "sufficient globally".

The European Council follows on from Parliament's...