Plan targets ‘push and pull’ causes of immigration

Date: 02/09/1999

By Gareth Harding

EU governments are putting the finishing touches to a series of action plans which, for the first time, aim to tackle the 'push and pull' factors which lead to mass influxes of migrants from key countries.

The ultimate aim of the exercise is to stem the flood of illegal immigrants entering the EU from poorer countries, but the approach member states are taking is different from the traditional 'big stick' method. "In the past, justice and home affairs ministers were accused of keeping people out rather than addressing why they want to leave," said one national official.

Under the plans currently being drawn up, the root causes of migration are looked at in depth and strategies for tackling mass flight are laid out, together with timetables for action.

The action plans are the result of six months work by the Council of Ministers' high-level group on asylum and migration. Set up in December, the group chose five countries - Albania, Afghanistan, Morocco, Somalia and Sri Lanka - where migration pressure is particularly strong. During the conflict in Kosovo, work on an action plan for Albania was temporarily shelved, but now the war is over, officials plan to reopen the dossier.

One of the countries of particular concern to member states such as France and Spain is Morocco. The action plan for the northern African kingdom notes that despite European countries' restrictions, the flow of immigrants has been "increasing steadily". This is due to soaring population growth, high rates of unemployment, stagnant economic growth and a perception of Europe as being a rich haven for immigrants, according to the report.

To stem the flow of migrants, the plan recommends combating the trafficking networks, promoting the voluntary return of immigrants and urging Morocco to require citizens from third countries to have transit visas when passing through the country.

The action plan for Sri Lanka contains even more concrete measures for limiting numbers of migrants to Europe. These include funding training courses for police officers and posting EU experts to help detect false documents and stem trafficking. The plan also envisages an information campaign aimed at Europe's Sri Lankan community.

In drawing up the plans, national officials worked closely with both the Moroccan and Sri Lankan authorities, as well as international organisations and partner countries such as Canada and the US. However, they had greater difficulty outlining strategies for war-torn Afghanistan and Somalia, where the ongoing conflicts means there is no effective government to talk to.

EU leaders will discuss the action plans at a special summit on justice and home affairs issues next month. They will also have to decide who should pay for the suggested measures and whether a more thematic approach should be taken in the future. "We will be here until the end of the next century if we do five countries a year," said one official.