Asylum and migration: programme for financial and technical assistance to third countries, 2004-2008

The committee adopted the report by Giacomo SANTINI (EPP/ED, I) amending the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. It said that, while the programme should serve to encourage the signing of readmission agreements, other third countries which are the source of migrating flows must not be excluded. Moreover, actions funded under the programme should include the management of migratory flows and the return and reintegration of migrants in their country of origin. There should be consistency with the Community efforts which contribute to addressing the root causes of migration. MEPs also adopted a series of amendments aimed at clarifying the objectives of the programme: - to develop legal migration to the EU, in accordance with the host countries' reception capacity, and to raise public awareness of the advantages of legal migration and the consequences of illegal migration; - to help third countries develop legislation with regard to illegal migration, trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants; - the readmission, in the full respect of law, of illegal immigrants or persons who have unsuccessfully undergone an asylum procedure in the EU; - to provide information and legal advice on the consequences of illegal immigration, including trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants; - to provide information and legal advice on the possibilities of working legally in the EU on both a short- and long-term basis; - to improve third countries' capacities to implement border controls, including by means of operational cooperation. Lastly, the committee said that Community co-financing of an action under this programme should not exceed 80% of total cost. �