INTEGRATION & IMMIGRATION | REPORT
January 26th 2004 - The
Parliament Magazine
VOICE OF THE CITY
Claude Moraes MEP and London Mayor Ken Livingstone argue that the views of
big city authorities are essential for the implementation of effective
immigration and integration policies.
This month a major step for ward in the EU 's approach to asylum and
immigration was taken with the European Parliament's repor t on Integration,
Immigration and Employment,adopted at the January Strasbourg session. The repor
t emphasises that immigration should not be viewed purely in terms of its
economic potential. Instead migration policies should be developed in parallel
with additional measures for social, cultural, religious and political
integration.
In the run-up to the European elections, we have sent a clear message in this
first- ever report on immigration,positively setting out the case for some
economic migration in response to the rapidly ageing working population. Many
have already identified managed migration as the strategic way forward. Also
crucial are partnerships with the countries of origin and a comprehensive
integration policy for both the new and the existing ethnic minority European
citizens.Only in this way,will the EU make the most of the oppor tunity which
immigration offers Europe over coming decades.
What does this all mean in practice for some of the EU's most ethnically
diverse areas? Most asylum seekers and immigrants arriving in Europe head for
its major cities, such as London, Paris, Berlin and Rome. Large cities have the
main transpor t links to countries of origin and the existing ethnic minority
communities to which new arrivals naturally will be drawn. As a result, it is
city authorities and their local partners that deliver most services to asylum
seekers and refugees, giving them unrivalled knowledge of what works in asylum
policy.They are likely to know most about the real impact of asylum policy and
the preconditions for making it work.
In London alone, 22%of the total population of 7.4 million were born out side
the EU 15 and one in 20 Londoners has arrived seeking asylum wi thin the past 15
years. Throughout its histor y, London has relied on immigration for it s
economic vigour. Today, international migration - whether voluntary or forced by
persecution - is an increasingly important factor in the development of our
potential labour force and economy. But this is not just about numbers.The
diversity of London makes it one of the most international cities in the world
and is a principal source of its cultural and economic dynamism.
London and other great cities know that they have most to gain from asylum
seekers, refugees and immigrants in general,who have contributed enormously to
our social and economic wealth. We also have the most to lose from any policies
that consign immigrants and asylum seekers to long-term pover ty and exclusion.
Therefore, it is our ambition in London to star t informing the development of
national and EU policies on asylum seekers and refugees,by demonstrating clearly
what works and what does not work 'on the ground'. We want to do so by bringing
into focus cities' central role in implementing asylum policies and by raising
the voice of cities in the debate about a Common Asylum Policy for the EU.This
is why last year we launched a City Statement for a Strong City Voice in a
Common Asylum Policy for the EU,which has now been signed by 16 mayors from
large European cities and endorsed by UNHCR. The City Statement sets out
principles for an orderly, just and sustainable asylum regime. Arrival of
migrants including asylum seekers can become a positive force in cities'
development, it argues. But this requires EU asylum and immigration policies
that focus on social cohesion, planned settlement and long-term integration,
plus EU-level financial support for such goals.
To provide clear evidence of our city exper tise, London, Rome and Berlin
have, with support from the European Refugee Fund, launched the Europe Land of
Asylum (ELA) Observatory on reception and integration of asylum seekers and
refugees. For each city the Observatory will produce a concise review of what
refugees and asylum seekers need,and what services are provided,in key areas
including housing and material suppor t, legal assistance, health ser vices, and
employment opportunities. These reports will highlight strengths and weaknesses
in cities' existing systems for reception and integration, and show where they
could make improvements.
2004 will be a crucial year for EU asylum and immigration policy. The
Amsterdam Treaty imposed the deadline of 1 May 2004 for the adoption of a range
of specific measures aimed at gradually establishing an area of freedom,security
and justice. 2004 also marks the end of the ambitious five year programme agreed
by the Tampere European Council. In those past five years, EU policies on asylum
and immigration have significantly moved on despite being one of the most
sensitive political issues for Europe today. In the process of fur ther
harmonisation of national asylum policies at EU level it is vital that the
findings of the ELA project are taken into account. If EU governments want a
common EU asylum and immigration policy to work,they need to star t talking to
their cities.
Ken Livingstone is Mayor of London
Claude Moraes is Labour MEP for London and rapporteur for the European
Parliament on Immigration, Integration an d Employment
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