JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS : LEGAL MIGRATION, POLICE DATA SHARING HOT TOPICS FOR 2007.

Since the landmark EU summit in Tampere in October 1999, Justice and Home Affairs has been the single most prolific policy area for EU lawmakers. 2007 is unlikely to prove any exception. The European Commission will propose the first ever EU framework to attract non-EU national workers to Europe. EU member states will focus on how to eliminate legal obstacles hindering the sharing of data with and between police. On the international stage, tough talks lie ahead with the United States over the US' right to access airlines' passenger databases.

LEGAL MIGRATION MOVE

September 2007 is the planned roll-out date for a draft directive to harmonise procedures for recruiting non-EU nationals to the EU, in particular highly-skilled workers. Europe has not been as pro-active as others, notably the US, in attracting the world's brightest and best so far. Yet the Commission will be mindful of not creating any brain drain' from developing countries. The directive will not set the numbers of migrants that can be admitted as the EU has no legal right to do this. Nor will it cover the rights of non-EU nationals already working in the EU, as a 2003 Directive (109/EC) already tackles this. The proposal will need the unanimous backing of EU member states to become law.

On illegal immigration, the Commission in May 2007 will propose a directive imposing sanctions on employers who hire illegal immigrants. EU Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner...