Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

Over the past decades, most EU Member States have experienced increasing migration. Migrants from third countries represent around four percent of the total EU population. The composition of EU's population is thus changing, and European societies are faced with increasing diversity. This leads to new conditions for social cohesion and government response to public concerns.

Europe is also strongly influenced by demographic changes, including the ageing population, longer life expectancies and a declining working-age population. Legal migration can help to address these issues, in addition to maximising the use of the labour force and skills already available in the EU and improving the productivity of the EU economy.

Demographic trends vary from region to region and need to be addressed through tailor made solutions. If the full benefits from migration are to be realised, Europe needs to find a way to better cope with its diverse and multicultural societies through more effective integration of migrants.

Building on experiences across the EU, this Communication highlights European integration challenges. To address these challenges, it suggests recommendations and areas for action. Together with the accompanying Commission Staff Working Paper, it provides an overview of EU initiatives to support the integration of third-country nationals.

The EU can contribute to steering and guiding Member States' efforts via different instruments. The European Agenda for Integration cannot be implemented through European instruments alone. Integration is a dynamic, long-term process requiring efforts by a wide range of actors in different policy areas and at various levels. This is the reason why the recommendations included in this Communication target all actors involved in the integration process.

European Commission: SEC(2011)957: EU initiatives supporting the integration of third-country nationals http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SEC:2011:0957:FIN:EN:PDF

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