Immigration and employment: integration of immigrants

The Council adopted Conclusions on Immigration, Integration and Employment. The Council stressed both the importance of debating these themes regularly and that this work should be coordinated with work in the field of Justice and Home Affairs. In order to strengthen cooperation, the Commission intends to present an annual report on immigration policies. The Council welcomes the Commission Communication on Immigration, Integration and Employment, presented to the Thessaloniki European Council and endorses the annexed Opinions of the Employment Committee and of the Social Protection Committee on this Communication as a basis for further work. While respecting the competences of the Member States in this area, the Council recognises the importance of debating these themes regularly and considers that this work should be coordinated with the relevant discussions in the field of Justice and Home Affairs. In the framework of the implementation of the European Employment Strategy and of the social inclusion objectives, the Joint Employment Report and the Joint Social Inclusion Report will be essential tools for assessing progress. The Council welcomes the Commission's intention to present an annual report on immigration policies as a way of strengthening cooperation.�