Control of external borders: development of a common policy, Thessaloniki Council

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Hubert PIRKER (EPP-ED, Austria) reiterating its support for the development of a European Corps of Border Guards, made up of special units, which would be financed by the Community. If necessary and at the request of the Member States, the Corps could be temporarily detached to help the national authorities monitor at-risk sections of the EU's external borders, without, however, usurping Member States' competences. Parliament also stated that the borders must remain open to people who are fleeing repression and applying for asylum in the Member States of the Union. Asylum policies should fully respect the Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees. On illegal immigration, Parliament took the view that the ILO network should play a role, in view of its unique knowledge and connections, in successfully returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin and reintegrating them.�