“Un laboratorio mediterraneo per una progettazione
partecipata delle azioni a
sostegno delle politiche di
integrazione”
Relators:
Bottalico
Dorangricchia
Rizzi
Trivelli
invitation to
meeting
A new programme entitled: Thematic Cooperation Programme with Third
Countries in the Development Aspects of Migration and Asylum has been set
up within the framework of the 2007-2013 financial perspectives. It replaces the
Aeneas Programme.
As with the Aeneas Programme, the general objective of the
new thematic programme is to assist third countries to improve the management of
all aspects of their migratory flows.
While covering all essential facets of
the migratory phenomenon (migration and development, labour migration, illegal
migration and traffic in persons, migrants' rights, asylum and international
protection), this programme does not directly address the deeply-rooted causes
of migration.
The new Call for Proposals has been launched on 14
December 2007 with a deadline for submitting the concept notes of
14.02.2008. To access the Guidelines and the
application documents, please go to our Funding
Opportunities page. Select "Quick search, latest opportunities" on
the left and go down the page to "Thematic programme of cooperation with
third countries in the areas of migration and asylum".
Projects funded under the 2007 Annual Programme will be implemented following two public Calls for Proposals (Action Grants and Operating Grants) which will be launched in due course. Please make sure you consult this page regularly for new information regarding the Call.
Council decision 252/2007 of 19 April 2007 established the specific programme 'Fundamental Rights and Citizenship'. The Programme aims to support NGOs, institutions and public and private organisations, universities, research institutes, national, regional and local authorities, international organisations and other not-for-profit civil society organisations in Member States and countries entitled to participate under article 5(1) of the Decision, to enhance their capability to participate actively in the promotion of fundamental rights, rule of law and democracy. The Programme seeks to promote the development of a European society based on respect for fundamental rights, aims to strengthen civil society and encourage an open, transparent and regular dialogue with it in respect of fundamental rights.
With the adoption on 6 June 2007 of the Green Paper on the future of asylum
policy, the Commission had launched a wide debate on the shape of the Common
European Asylum System. 82 Contributions were received, from UNHCR, NGOs, Member
States' governments and the rest from Regions, National Parliaments, academic
and lawyers' networks, political parties, etc.
On 7 November 2007, a Public
Hearing was organised in Brussels to wind up debate on the written contributions
received. Vice-President Franco Frattini delivered a keynote address to open the
hearing.
As for future steps, following the analysis of the contributions to
the Green Paper, the public hearing and the evaluations of the existing
instruments, the Commission will adopt a Policy Plan in July 2008 detailing the
Commission's asylum work programme (both legislative and policy measures) for
the upcoming years.
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The first proposal concerns a Directive on a single application procedure for
a single residence and work permit for third-country nationals for the purpose
of highly qualified employment in the EU, creating the EU Blue Card. The
proposal does not create the right of admission. The scheme is entirely
demand-driven, fully respectful of the principle of Community preference and
Member States' jurisdiction to decide on the numbers of persons admitted.
In
a bid to avoid negative brain drain effects in developing countries, especially
in Africa, the proposal advocates ethical recruitment standards to limit active
recruitments by Member States in developing countries already suffering from
serious brain drain, and contains measures to facilitate circular
migration.
The second proposal is horizontal in nature, and seeks to simplify
procedures for all potential immigrants applying to reside and work in a Member
State. Furthermore, it aims to ensure a common set of rights to all
third-country workers already admitted and legally working in a Member State,
comparable to those of EU citizens. It does not harmonise admission conditions
for labour immigrants, which will remain in the hands of the Member
States.
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