Europos ekonomikos ir socialinių reikalų komitetas
The two-day European Migration Forum (EMF), held virtually by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the European Commission, stressed the indispensable role of migrants during the pandemic and the great potential of their contribution to the EU's economic and social recovery after the COVID-19 crisis.
The EESC says it fears that, without proper guarantees and strong reintegration measures in countries of origin, voluntary returns of migrants could result in a violation of their fundamental and human rights
The speech delivered by von der Leyen in the 2021 State of the Union Address has to be critically received, mainly for what it lacks in terms of ambition and clarity, despite naming virtually all the key challenges Europe faces.
Pagrindinė strategija sprendžiant migracijos klausimus – užmegzti partnerystę su kilmės ir tranzito šalimis siekiant pritraukti specialistų. Europa turi pakeisti požiūrį į migracijos politikos išorės aspektą ir į jį įtraukti platesnę geopolitinę ir geoekonominę darbotvarkę, kuriai būtų skirta derama vieta greta kitų politikos sričių. Priešingu atveju naujasis paktas bus per silpnas, kad padėtų susidoroti su didėjančiais migracijos srautais.
Solidarity à la carte, too strong a focus on border controls and too little emphasis on legal and labour migration pathways are among the main faults found in the New Migration Pact, with few tangible achievements in Member States’ negotiations on how to deliver a comprehensive policy that can successfully rise to the challenge of effectively managing migration to the EU
The EESC is worried about the feasibility of a number of proposals contained in the pact. There are grave concerns that it may even add to the pressure on the already overwhelmed states of first entry, effectively turning them into closed centres
for migrants at EU borders
In a debate with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson at its plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the New Pact on Migration and Asylum but criticised its lack of ambition and boldness. Too focused on borders and returns, the Pact proposes too few feasible solutions for a solidarity-based approach to migration management
Holistic strategies and harmonisation of action plans for integration could be the way to go, EESC members explain. EU Member States deal with integration policies in widely different ways, based on their specific circumstances and migration histories. Yet the specific needs of women and children striving to overcome discrimination or obstacles to their integration are not always fully taken into consideration. However, the EESC put forward ways to address these shortcomings in an opinion presented at the October plenary session.
We are awaiting the New Pact on Migration and Asylum with great hope but also concern, the EESC tells Commissioner Schinas.
At its July plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a debate with Commission Vice-President, Margaritis Schinas, who presented several upcoming initiatives falling under his portfolio of "Promoting our European Way of Life", including the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Skills Agenda, the EU for Health Programme and the new Security Union Strategy.
On 22 June the ‘Diversity Europe Group’ of the EESC organised a conference entitled ‘Civil Society Organisations Helping Refugees and Migrants in Europe’. The event took place in a hybrid format with some Members and speakers participating in person, whilst others connected remotely.
