Integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination

The European Commission presented its report on the implementation of the Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM) 2012-2013. The GAMM is, since 2005, the overarching framework of the EU external migration and asylum policy. The framework defines how the EU conducts its policy dialogue and operational cooperation with third countries in the area of migration and mobility, based on clearly defined priorities which reflect the strategic objectives of the EU, and firmly embedded in the EU’s overall foreign policy framework, including development cooperation.

Main objectives of GAMM: the GAMM is implemented through:

• political instruments (bilateral and regional policy dialogues and action plans), legal instruments (such as visa facilitation and readmission agreements),
• operational support and capacity-building (including via EU agencies, e.g. FRONTEX, EASO and ETF, and technical assistance facilities such as MIEUX and TAIEX);
• a wide range of programme and project support that is made available to third country administrations and other stakeholders, such as civil society, migrant associations and international organisations.

In the period 2012-2013, the Commission has supported more than 90 migration-related projects with more than EUR 200 million in all regions of the developing world. In addition, several EU Member States have provided financial support to the implementation of the GAMM.

As an example, the Commission stated that discussions on the mobility partnership with Tunisia have been concluded in November 2013 and its signing is imminent. Discussions have begun with Jordan in December 2013. Furthermore, a draft CAMM has been proposed to India in April 2013 and Nigeria in October 2013, but substantive discussions are yet to begin.

Regional dialogues: the report stated that regional dialogues have succeeded in creating a platform for dedicated policy debates with groups of third countries, and they all contributed to improving overall political relations with these countries, even though operational results are more mixed due to a lack of planning.

Several regional dialogues suffer from a lack of engagement from Member States. Their participation in meetings is not always sufficiently numerous, and often not sufficiently active.

The report also mentioned the EU’s implication on the global stage on this issue given that it has actively engaged in discussions in 2012 and 2013 on international migration and development and global migration management.

Main conclusions: the report shows that in 2012 and 2013 important steps have been taken towards a more consolidated, coherent external migration and asylum policy.

Significant progress has been made in strengthening political relations with third countries and regions, e.g. the Southern Mediterranean countries, and the Eastern Partnership countries. Actions were also undertaken to contribute to institutional and legislative reforms and capacity building in partner countries.

In particular the Mobility Partnerships have proved to be a sophisticated bilateral framework to address migration and asylum issues in a way that makes cooperation mutually beneficial. But more work needs to be done to improve the existing frameworks, initiatives and tools. It will for example be necessary to look at some of the existing dialogue processes, making them more effective, operative and balanced with regard to the thematic priorities.

The Commission will continue playing its role in implementing the GAMM and through this take steps towards stronger and more cohesive EU external action. It is stressed that the GAMM relies on the active participation of all stakeholders according to their needs and priorities. Building strong and close partnerships with third countries, based on mutual trust and shared interests, takes time, commitment and resilience – and the determination of the EU actors and Member States to play their legitimate roles in an active way.

Accordingly, the Commission stressed the importance of reinforcing cooperation between Member States, the EEAS, EU agencies and the Commission.