JHA COUNCIL : NEW ACTION PLAN ON LEGAL IMMIGRATION.

While Europe's immigration ministers intend to make efforts in terms of legal migratory policy and the integration of migrants, for some, combating illegal immigration unequivocally remains at the top of the political agenda.

"The Lisbon Treaty is a new opportunity to render the EU more open, more effective and more democratic," said the Spanish Labour and Immigration Minister, Celestino Corbacho, during an informal meeting in Toledo, on 21 January. In particular, the Spanish EU Presidency announced the launch of an action plan on legal immigration. The idea is to set up a flexible and progressive policy, which will bring answers to the economic market demands of each member state while assuring global social cohesion.

Also on the agenda is a rapid resumption of negotiations on the directive relating to a single permit for third-country nationals(1) in order to assure "the fair treatment of migrant workers," underlined the Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Jacques Barrot. He also mentioned that the proposal relating to seasonal workers, as well as that on "persons transferred within companies" would be quickly presented. And the initiatives do not stop there. The launch of a green paper, a broad consultation on family reunification and the setting up of an immigration portal should all see the light of day in the course of 2010. Lastly, Corbacho invited all his European counterparts to join the fourth Conference on Integration, to be held on 15 and 16 April in Zaragoza.

There is no doubt that, for the Spanish minister, the section on integration and legal migration is crucial at a time of social and economic crisis. "We must step up our efforts to protect the most vulnerable, and that includes migrants," he explained, insisting on "collective solidarity".

COOPERATION WITH TURKEY

This desire to become more open has not, however, spared the debate on combating illegal immigration. As expressed by Barrot, "we are implementing a balanced migratory policy, which is both open and generous, but at the same time firm". Reducing migratory pressure involves closer cooperation...