The EESC wishes to be the home of organised civil society and we are therefore happy to welcome you today and tomorrow to give practical expression to this concept, especially as we will be discussing an issue which has always been at the centre of our concerns and work: we firmly believe that immigration is one of the most important social and economic issues of our time. Men and women from far-off lands are forced to leave their homes in search of better, acceptable standards of living for themselves and their families. Others come to Europe in search of a democratic society and institutions and the rule of law.
SPEECH OF M. SEPI AT THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION FORUM
