importante reunião do bureau e da Assembleia Geral da AEAP em Paris, a 25 de Fevereiro de 2011

Presidente da AEAP e secretario- geral conduziram os trabalhos

Tiveram lugar em Paris no edifício da Assembleia Nacional, na nova sala Lamartine duas extensas reuniões da Associação Europeia dos Antigos Parlamentares, onde está filiada a AEDAR, respectivamente a da Comissão Directiva e a da Assembelia Geral, que aprovou o orçamento e programa de actividades para 2011, bem como o relatório e contas do ano 2010, que alias registou um saldo positivo.

Entre os trablahos desenvolvidos destacam-se pela sua importância relacionada com as sequencias do Seminario realizado em Lisboa em Outubro de 2009, a apresentação dos relatórios CHAUMONT com a proposta de uma carta europeia dos direitos e  deveres do antigo parlamentar, e do relatório DIMMER sobre o estatuto do antigo parlamentar este nuam versão ainda de projecto.

No colóquio de Outubro de 2011, em Strasbourg espera-se a aprovação solene dos dois documentos, em particular da Carta Europeia, pelo que haverá ainda espaço para se introduzirem algumas sugestões na sua redacção na reunião de Direccção agendada para Berna no fimal de Maio próximo.

Pelo seu interesse reproduzem-se as versões em inglês e em francês (as duas línguas oficiais da Associação Europeia) do documento CHAUMONT.

Versão em francês

Association européenne des anciens parlementaires des pays

membres du Conseil de l'Europe

Charte européenne des anciens parlementaires

(Charte de Strasbourg)

Projet présenté par M. Jacques CHAUMONT (France), rapporteur

Préambule

L’Association européenne des anciens parlementaires des pays membres du Conseil de l’Europe (FP-AP) rassemble des associations indépendantes d’anciens parlementaires des parlements nationaux et du Parlement européen.

L’Association européenne s’est engagée à poursuivre l’objectif du Conseil de l’Europe visant à atteindre une union plus étroite entre les peuples de l’Europe ; elle sert à développer des contacts amicaux et à partager des informations avec d’autres associations.

Les Membres de l’Association sont convenus d’adopter le texte ci-dessous intitulé « Charte européenne des anciens parlementaires ». Cette Charte a pour objet de fixer l’ensemble des principes et des objectifs guidant et inspirant les travaux de l’Association européenne des anciens parlementaires et de rappeler les méthodes préconisées pour garantir son influence et son rayonnement.

TITRE I. LES PRINCIPES

1. Les valeurs communes, définies dans la Déclaration de Rome de l’Association européenne du 30 novembre 2002, rassemblent les anciens parlementaires : dignité de la personne humaine, égalité des droits entre l’homme et la femme, liberté et responsabilité, démocratie et Etat de droit, solidarité et justice sociale, protection de la nature et de ses ressources, tolérance, respect des minorités et des diversités culturelles, paix et coopération entre les peuples, lutte contre le processus de concentration des richesses, par le biais des paradis fiscaux, faussant ainsi un commerce équitable au détriment des plus pauvres, protection des droits de l’homme, de la liberté de la presse et des médias, y compris le droit d’expression et des créations intellectuelles, artistiques, scientifiques et économiques.

2. A ces valeurs fondamentales s’ajouteront de nouveaux défis pour l’Europe et le monde: régulation efficace des flux financiers internationaux et des marchés financiers, commerce libre et équitable, une économie de marché internationale et sociale , lutte contre le réchauffement climatique, pauvreté et l’écart grandissant des revenus, pandémies, immigration clandestine, terrorisme, ainsi que la responsabilité des Etats et la transparence, autant d’impératifs qui exigent des comportements nouveaux et des politiques appropriées, lutte contre la spéculation

irresponsable menaçant l’équilibre économique et social dans le monde et augmentant le risque d’instabilité politique.

3. Le système politique lié à la civilisation européenne est celui de la démocratie parlementaire pluraliste et participative. Il repose sur un pouvoir législatif issu du suffrage universel, sur un exécutif responsable devant le parlement et sur un pouvoir judiciaire indépendant. Il se fonde

également sur la liberté des médias. Il s’engage à respecter, protéger et garantir les droits de l’homme. Le respect de ces critères est un préalable à l’adhésion à l’association européenne des anciens parlementaires des pays membres du Conseil de l’Europe.

TITRE II : LES OBJECTIFS

4. Les anciens parlementaires élus par vote populaire, participant à une Association européenne, se sont fixés pour but de mettre leur expérience à la disposition de la construction européenne ainsi qu’au fonctionnement de toutes les institutions qui y contribuent. Ils visent aussi une meilleure compréhension par l’opinion publique. Il est donc essentiel que le statut d’ancien parlementaire soit reconnu non seulement par les parlements nationaux mais aussi par le Parlement européen et par le Conseil de l’Europe.

5. Le renforcement de la construction européenne est l’objectif prioritaire des anciens parlementaires européens. Après la ratification du Traité de Lisbonne l'Union européenne doit tirer le meilleur parti de ce Traité en vue d’institutions plus stables et efficaces dans le respect du principe de subsidiarité, qui est conçu pour s’opposer au centralisme et laisse une large place aux responsabilités des Etats et des entités régionales. Le renforcement des pouvoirs du parlement européen doit être compensé par un développement équilibré des nouvelles compétences dévolues aux parlements nationaux par le Traité de Lisbonne dans le processus de décision communautaire. Il faut avant tout donner priorité à la protection de toutes les frontières de l’Union européenne, afin de garantir la sécurité des citoyens européens.

6. La société civile est un des éléments essentiels de la construction européenne. Les citoyens doivent être davantage associés à l’élaboration des projets collectifs au niveau local, régional, national et européen. Il conviendrait d'encourager toutes les initiatives tendant à réduire le décalage existant trop souvent entre les élites européennes et les citoyens européens. Ce sont ces initiatives auxquelles entend participer l’Association européenne des anciens parlementaires, qui contribueraient à améliorer les taux de participation aux élections européennes.

7. Dans tous les Etats membres du Conseil de l’Europe et de l’Union européenne, existe un profond besoin de compétences en matière de politique européenne. Il ne peut être comblé uniquement par les politiques nationales et les services officiels de communication. Les anciens parlementaires ont dans ce domaine un rôle important à jouer , ainsi que pour accompagner les nouvelles dispositions du Traité de Lisbonne concernant l’initiative populaire. Dans le même esprit, les anciens parlementaires peuvent apporter leur expérience notamment dans le cadre des missions d'observation des élections en Europe.

Titre III LES METHODES ET INSTRUMENTS

8. L’Association européenne des anciens parlementaires met en ligne son site web pour faire connaître ses activités. Chaque association adhérente peut y faire figurer informations et commentaires sur ses projets et sur l’actualité européenne.

9. Les anciens parlementaires mettent au premier plan de leurs activités le développement d’un partenariat avec les grandes institutions européennes. Dans cet esprit, un mémorandum d’entente et de coopération a été conclu avec l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe le 7 septembre 2009. Dans le cadre de cet accord, les déclarations finales des colloques de l’Association sont mises en distribution à l’Assemblée parlementaire à Strasbourg. Le principe d’un échange d’information est par ailleurs acquis dans le cadre des sites  internet.

10.Les anciens parlementaires disposent pour conduire leurs travaux d’associations nationales autonomes ayant leurs agendas respectifs. Beaucoup d’entre eux ont en charge l’organisation d’événements, souvent en liaison avec les ON, et d’autres associations, comme les Universités etc.

11.L’association des anciens parlementaires organise tous les deux ans un colloque portant sur un thème politique et de société.

12.Les anciens parlementaires européens souhaitent élargir leurs activités en soutenant l’adhésion de nouveaux membres, notamment issus de pays d’Europe centrale et orientale mais également de toutes les régions d’Europe. Afin de faciliter l’adhésion de ces nouveaux membres, les parties intéressées reçoivent le statut d’observateur pour une durée de deux ans.

13.Toute proposition de collaboration émanant d’associations d’anciens parlementaires d’autres continents sera prise en considération par FP-AP,

en tenant compte également des répercussions financières éventuelles.

Titre IV TEXTES DE REFERENCE

14.L’Association des anciens parlementaires appuie son action sur les textes ci-dessous référencés :

· Textes de l’association européenne

a) appel de Strasbourg du 10 novembre 2000, concluant le colloque sur le renforcement de la dimension parlementaire des institutions européennes

b) déclaration de Rome du 30 novembre 2002 sur les valeurs de l’Union européenne

c) déclaration de Berlin du 16 octobre 2004 sur l’intégration européenne face aux défis mondiaux

d) déclaration de Limassol du 10 novembre 2006 sur l’Europe, la Méditerranée et la lutte contre le terrorisme international

e) déclaration d’Athènes du 18 octobre 2008 sur la démocratie représentative et participative

· textes du Conseil de l’Europe et de l’Union européenne

- convention européenne des droits de l’homme et des libertés fondamentales du Conseil de l’Europe

- Charte sociale révisée du Conseil de l’Europe

- Charte des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne

- Charte communautaire des droits sociaux des travailleurs

Dispositions finales

La présente charte, de caractère évolutif, peut être amendée par l’assemblée générale de l’association sur proposition de chaque association membre et du Bureau.

Versão em inglês

Preamble

The European Association of former Parliamentarians of the member states of the Council of Europe (FP-AP) is bringing together independent associations of former parliamentarians of the national parliaments and of the European Parliament. The European Association is committed to the Council of Europe’s objective to achieve a greater unity among the peoples of Europe; it aims to develop friendly contacts with and to share information with other associations.

The members of the European Association have agreed to adopt the text below entitled European charter of former parliamentarians'. This Charter aims at laying down all the principles and aims guiding and inspiring the work by the FP-AP and recalls the methods
recommended to assure its influence and impact.


TITLE I: PRINCIPLES


1. The joint values, defined in the FP-AP Rome Declaration of 30 November 2002, bring

together the former parliamentarians: dignity of the human person, gender equality, freedom and responsibility, democracy and the rule of law, solidarity and social justice, the protection of nature and its resources, tolerance, respect for minorities and cultural diversities, and peace and co-operation among peoples, the fight against the ongoing process of concentration of wealth through "tax havens", thus distorting fair competition to the detriment of the poorest, the protection of human rights and of the freedom of Press and Media, including the right of expression and that of intellectual, artistic, scientific and economic creations.

2. On top of these fundamental values, new challenges facing Europe and the world will be added: Effective regulation of international financial and capital markets, free and fair trade, an international social and market economy, combating of climate warming, poverty and rising income gaps, pandemics, clandestine immigration, terrorism as well as state detailed account and transparency are all essential issues requiring new behaviours and appropriate policies, the fight against irresponsible speculation endangering the economic and social balance worldwide and increasing the risk of political instability.

3. The political system underpinning European civilisation is that of pluralistic and participatory parliamentary democracy. It is based on a legislature elected by universal suffrage, an executive accountable to parliament and on an independent judiciary. It is also based on the freedom of the media. It is committed to respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights. Compliance with these criteria is a prerequisite to join the FP-AP.

TITLE II: AIMS

4. Former parliamentarians elected by popular vote, participating in a European Association, have set themselves the aims of making their experience available for European construction as well as the operation of all Institutions contributing to it. They also aim at a better understanding by public opinion. It is thus essential that the status of former parliamentarians should be recognized not only by National Parliaments but also by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe as well.

5. The strengthening of European construction is the priority goal of former European parliamentarians. Following the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the European Union must make the most of this Treaty with a view to more stable and effective institutions while complying with the subsidiarity principle which is designed to oppose centralism and leaves a lot of ground for State and regional entities responsibilities. The strengthening of the powers of the European parliament must be compensated by a balanced development of the new powers given to national parliaments by the Lisbon Treaty in the Community decision-making process. First priority must be given to the protection of all European Union’s frontiers in order to guarantee the security of European citizens.

6. Civil society is one of the essential components of European construction. Citizens must be brought to a greater extent into the drafting of collective projects at the local, regional, national and European levels. All initiatives which reduce the too often existing gap between European elites and European citizens should be supported. It is in these initiatives that the FP-AP intends to participate as they are expected to  contribute in improving participation rates in European elections.

7. In all the member states of the Council of Europe and the European Union, there is a rofound need for European policy skills. It cannot be met solely by national policies and official communication services. Former parliamentarians have a significant role to play in this field, as well as in accompanying the new provisions of the Lisbon Treaty on the popular initiative. With the same in mind, former parliamentarians can provide their experience, especially within the framework of election observation missions in Europe.

Title III: METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS

8. The FP-AP has a website to promote its activities, where each member association can uppload information and comments on its projects and on current European events.

9. Former parliamentarians are paying great attention to the development of a partnership with the major European institutions. With this in mind, a memorandum of understanding and cooperation has been signed with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 7 September 2009. Under this agreement, FP-AP colloquy final declarations are distributed at the Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg. The principle of an exchange of information is moreover now established within the framework of websites.

10. To carry out their work, former parliamentarians have independent national associations with their respective agenda. Many of them are tasked with organising events, often in liaison with NGOs, and other associations and institutions, such as Universities etc.


11. The FP-AP organises every two years a colloquy on a political and societal topic.

12. The former European parliamentarians wish to broaden their activities by welcoming new members, especially from countries of central and eastern Europe and also from all the regions of Europe. In order to facilitate the membership of these new members, interested parties are given observer status for two years.

13. Any proposal for co-operation coming from former parliamentary members associations of other continents will also be considered by the FP-AP, also taking into account possible financial repercussions.

Title IV REFERENCE TEXTS


14.The FP-AP bases its action on the following reference texts:


· FP-AP texts

a) Strasbourg Appeal of 10 November 2000, concluding the colloquy on the strengthening of the parliamentary dimension of the European institutions

b) Rome Declaration of 30 November 2002 on European Union values

c) Berlin Declaration of 16 October 2004 on European integration in the face of global

challenges
d) Limassol Declaration of 10 November 2006 on Europe, the Mediterranean and the fight
against international terrorism
e) Athens Declaration of 18 October 2008 on representative and participatory democracy

· Council of Europe and European Union texts


- European convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms -


Council of Europe


- Revised social charter of the Council of Europe


- Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union


- Community charter of the social rights of workers


Final provisions

The present charter, of an evolving nature, can be amended by the general assembly of the association on proposal by each member association and the Bureau.

Reunião do bureau restrito da Associação Europeia dos Antigos Parlamentares, em Paris

(pátio interior do Palácio Bourbon do Senado)

Portugal que agora ocupa um dos lugares de Vice Presidente da Associação Europeia, participou através do Dr. Luis Nandin de Carvalho, membro da AEDAR,  na reunião de Direcção executiva que planeou os trabalhos da Associação para o ano de 2011 e que teve lugar em Paris no dia 21de Janeiro.

(Entrada do edificio administrativo da Assembleia Nacional)

A próxima reunião que inclui o plenário da Direcção e a Assembleia-Geral, tera lugar novamente em Paris no final de Fvereiro para aprovar o orçameneto e programa de actividades que incluem, em Maio deste ano em Berna uma sesão de trabalho com a presença de um alto representante da Unesco de avaliação de possiveis linhas de trablaho em projectos futuros de cooperação.

(Secretário-geral, Presidente e Tesoureira da AEAP)

Finalmente em Outubro, na cidade de Strasbourg terá lugar um Colóquio Europeu promovido pela AEAP para discussão e apreciação da Carta do Antigo Parlamentar, de que já existe um projecto cuja elaboraçao se iniciou a partir do Colóquio de Lisboa em 2009.

Os trabalhos do bureau restrito desenvolveram-se ao longo de toda a tarde e prosseguiram de modo informal num jantar na zona do Campo de Marte, próximo da Assembleia Nacional num restaurante tipicamente francês, junto a Fonte de Marte.

ANTIGO PRESIDENTE DA REPUBLICA GENERAL RAMALHO EANES NO ALMOÇO DE NATAL DA AEDAR

(antigos deputados no atrio do hotel acolhem

o antigo Presidente da República Ramalho Eanes e sua mulher)

Decorreu num Hotel de Lisboa dia 11 de Dezembro um almoço debate de Natal da AEDAR em que foi convidado o General Ramalho Eanes num ciclo de conferências anuais em que ja tinham sido anteriormente oradores os Presidentes da República Mário Soares e Jorge Sampaio.

( Dr. Luis Barbosa, oferece em nome dos assciados da AEDAR

uma serigrafia evocativa da actividade parlamentar ao General

Ramalho Eanes, I Presidente da República eleito após o 25 de Abril)

Participaram nesta iniciativa muitos dos antigos parlamentares portugueses que no passado  desempenharam os cargos politicos de deputados constituintes, ou de deputados à Assembleia da República, e que estabeleceram entre si um saudável convivio como é timbre das iniciativas da AEDAR.

(aspecto parcial do almoço de Natal da AEDAR)

O Almoço debate muito participado, terminhou cerca das 17h, tendo-se seguido depois, a Aassembleia anual da AEDAR para apreciação do relatorio da Direcção e aprovação das linhas gerais do orçamento e plano de actividades para ano de 2011.

( Mesa da Assembleia-geral da AEDAR)

A mesa da assembleia geral foi Constituida pelo Dr. Luis Barbosa (presidente daDirecção) Manuel Maia (Presidente da Mesa) e Lurdes Pombo (secretária da Mesa)

Registou-se uma apresentação daqueles documentos pelo Presidente da Direcção, Dr. Luis Barbosa e diversas e interessadas intervenções dos associados, e a final submetida a votaçao aquelas propostas foram as mesmas aprovadas pelo unanimidade e aclamação.

(Eanes na apresentação da sua intervenção)

A próxima assembleia geral da AEDAR tera lugar no primeiro trimestre de 2011, com a apreciação das contas de 2010 e constando também da agenda a eleição dos corpos gerentes da Associação.

(aspecto parcial da assembleia-geral)

Visita de Estudo ao campo de Batalha de Aljubarrota e ao Mosteiro da Batalha

A AEDAR organizou uma bem sucedida visita guiada de estudo ao Campo de Batalha de Aljubarrota no dia 6 de Novembro de 2010 que reuniu um grupo de antigos deputados. No local as boas vindas foram apresentadas pelo Vice Presidente da CM de Porto de Mós.

O almoço de saudável convivio entre os antigos deputados desta inciativa da AEDAR desenvolveu-se no Restaurante Maricotas, propriedade de descendentes de uma governanta de Eça de Queirós, onde puderam saborear antigas receitas de migas (couve portuguesa com broa), morcela de arroz e papas labeças (farinha com puré de nabo e couve). O animado almoço foi presidido pelo Antigo Presidente da Assembleia da Republica Dr. Oliveira Dias, ladeado na foto pela sua esposa, e pela antiga Deputada pelo distrito de Leiria, a professora  Ana Narciso.

A vista prosseguiu no Mosteiro da Batalha tendo sido na ocasião guia o antigo Deputado Joao Domingos. Na foto uma perspectiva das capelas imperfeitas. A jornada cultural da AEDAR terminou na Pia do Urso, Parque eco-sensorial, considerado único no mundo, que foi percorrido com muito intresse pelos antigos deputados, que se congratularam com este exemplo impar de preservação ambiental e urbana da região. 

AEDAR esteve presente na Ucrânia no Seminario de Outubro sobre imigração da AEAP e aporvou a Decalarção de KIEV

Os elemenos da AEAP Associação Europeia dos Antigos Parlamentares relaizram uma sessão de estudo no Parlamento da Ucrânia, cujas instalações visitaram e mantieveram duas extenas reuniões quer do Bureau quer de discussão e aprovação, por unanimiddae da Declaração de KIEV sobre uma politica de imigração harmonizada para todos os Paises mebros do Conselho da Europa.

Quadro comemorativo da Independencia da Ucrânia em 1991 e alusivo a sua história

A delegação portuguesa apoio a Declaraçao de Kiev, e interveio activamente nos debates sobre actividades a desenvolver em 2011 pela Associação Europeia dos Antigos Parlamentares

Fachada principal do Parlamento da Ucrânia

(átrio principal do Parlamento)

Colloquy of Kiev, 8 October 2010

MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION IN EUROPE

Declaration of Kiev

Adopted unanimously by the voting members of the European association of former members of parliament of the member states of the Council of Europe . The German delegation did not participate on the voting

The European Association of Former Members of Parliament of the Member States of the Council of Europe

1. Thanks the Ukrainian Association for organising this symposium in Kiev. It has served to cement the newly forged links between the European Association and Ukraine, which has recently joined the association, and we warmly welcome this – especially so because, by happy coincidence, this symposium on Migration and Integration in Europe is taking place in the same city where, just over two years ago, the eighth Council of Europe conference of Ministers responsible for migration affairs addressed the question of 'Economic migration, social cohesion and development: towards an integrated approach';

2. Emphasises the importance of this symposium on the subject of migration, which is one of the greatest challenges faced by decision-makers in politics, society, business and the social sphere in most regions of the world, particularly the Member States of the Council of Europe, at the beginning of the 21st century;

3. Notes that the Member States of the Council of Europe are affected in very different ways by the phenomenon of migration, as regards both the number of immigrants and their regions of origin and the immigrants’ status (citizenship, right of residence, work permit, etc.). Some countries take in immigrants mainly from former colonies, others deliberately set out in the past to attract workers with certain skills, while some have become transit countries for illegal migrants. Still others suffer from emigration, and some former countries of emigration have changed into immigration regions. What is common to all is that the related challenges cannot be overcome at national level alone, but require a concerted common framework of law and action based on solidarity and respect for human dignity;

4. Underlines that the Council of Europe has a unique role, competence and capacity in addressing migration. Its European Committee on Migration incorporates operational participation from all member countries and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) plays an important role, particularly through its Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population;

5. Notes that, in October 2008, just after the eighth Council of Europe conference of Ministers responsible for migration affairs, the European Commission published a communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, entitled ‘Strengthening the Global Approach to Migration: Increasing Coordination, Coherence and Synergies’, pointing out that, notwithstanding all the progress made, further efforts were still needed to achieve satisfactory solutions;

6. Is aware that both legal and illegal migration pose problems which give rise to concerns – justified and unjustified – in the majority population. Politicians and civil society are therefore called upon to create the legal and social framework conditions that meet the requirements of social cohesion and respect for the cultural identity of the migrants. This also facilitates mutual understanding of the diversity of cultures and civilisations, with a twofold advantage: it brings cultural enrichment for the host countries, while bringing about useful development cooperation with the regions of origin. It is the well-understood own interest of European countries to support developing countries in their efforts to enhance the political, economic, social and environmental living conditions of their populations. In this context reference should be made to the parity-oriented ACP-EU cooperation with 79 developing countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Basin under the Cotonou Agreement, which is also subject to parliamentary oversight by Members of the European Parliament and the ACP-country Parliaments in the form of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly ACP/EU;

7. Regrets that tragic incidents repeatedly occur, especially off the coast of southern Europe and on the external borders of the European Union, involving illegal immigrants who risk life and limb in pursuit of a better life, causing major problems for the countries concerned. This gives rise to a need for national and supranational migration management that is coordinated Europe-wide, with the aim of achieving the greatest possible advantages for both the migrants and the host countries, seeking cooperation with the countries of origin and stemming the tide of illegal immigration. There is a special responsibility first and foremost for women and minors, and most particularly for children and young people who come to Europe as unaccompanied refugees;

8. Considers that sending back refugees, failed asylum seekers and illegal immigrants can lead to major problems if there are no readmission agreements between admitting countries and countries of origin. When people cannot prove their identity or age, individual solutions have to be looked for, but the loss of identity papers cannot give the right for admission. A major issue is being created by failed asylum individuals roaming around Europe. Due to this, some countries are being disproportionally affected due to their geographical position and their country’s size and population. This creates a particular concern to establish an effective and immediate reparatory policy. Responsibility and collective Frontex Patrols must be equally shared by one and all with respect to financial costs as well as supportive arrangements for the sharing of migration flows according to countries size and population.

9. Acknowledges, however, that determined action must be taken – likewise in a Europe-wide coordinated way – against organised crime, trafficking in human beings, including forced prostitution, and suspected terrorists, not least for the protection of the migrants themselves and in order to combat prejudice. Islamist activities do not, however, take place exclusively in a context of migration, as has been shown by criminal trials in Germany in which German youths – converts with no background of migration – have been found guilty. In certain milieus young men in particular are at risk, regardless of their nationality or ethnic origin.

MIGRATION: THE OTHER FORM OF GLOBALISATION

The European Association takes the view that:

10. Almost all parts of the world are affected by legal and/or illegal migration in the form of immigration, emigration or transit movements. These often go hand in hand with the globalisation of business and trade areas, which is encouraged by growing opportunities for mobility and modes of communication that are independent of time and geographical location. The reasons for these migratory movements are many and varied: the main ones include the flight from poverty and absence of prospects in countries of origin, violent conflicts and civil wars, persecution on grounds of politics, religion or world view, ethnicity or sexual orientation, or family reunion. To these can be added flight from natural disasters – and from environmental events (which are often anthropogenic) in the form of natural disasters and climate change;

11. The work carried out by the United Nations in the context of the Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD), which met for the third time in November 2009 in Athens, makes the extent of the problem very clear. Calls on immigration and emigration countries, trade unions and NGOs to take part in this forum, which highlights the worldwide dimension of migration issues.

MIGRATION AND SOCIAL COHESION

The European Association emphasises that:

12. While most migrants in Europe have integrated satisfactorily, some have not (yet) found their place in the mainstream society. Some may not wish to become truly integrated. Conversely, politicians and society must ensure that parallel societies do not form in without adequate access to education and employment or adequate health care, favouring social marginalisation and allowing unemployed young men in particular to become disaffected and drift into crime;

13. Access to education and vocational qualifications and an employment policy that is geared to equality of opportunity are key criteria for a successful integration policy. Experience has shown that many immigrants stay on indefinitely, even though they came with the intention of only staying for a short time and then returning with their savings to their country of origin. Ultimately they bring their families to the host country, or start a family there, and settle there, now often in the second or third generation;

14. It must be borne in mind that many migrants have few or no qualifications and are, or have been, engaged in unskilled work or labouring jobs. Their language skills are often imperfect, and they are not in a position to help their children with school work. Priority must be given to integrating migrant children into the school system from pre-school age. Children from uneducated backgrounds, whether they have a migrant background or not, should be given particular encouragement to develop their potential to reach an advanced level of education and possibly to go on to higher education. Language learning is of particular importance here. It is advantageous if children from migrant families can grow up bilingually. They should learn not only to speak their mother tongue, but also to read and write it. Cultural associations and post-school education institutions can contribute to that. Adults too can improve their life and employment opportunities through literacy programmes and targeted educational measures where learning the language of the host country is also of crucial importance.

15. It is imperative that educational emphasis is given for immigrants to be taught the local adopted countries historical, social, cultural, linguistically and legal systems for better understanding to complete integration. The interest of genuine multiculturalism and better knowledge of respective traditions, needs to be further developed so as to facilitate intellectual integration in society as a means of a broad based intercultural addition to society. Teachers must, in the interests of genuine multiculturalism, be appropriately trained to pass on better language skills and a better knowledge of their respective traditions, thereby ensuring that the intellectual potential that is so badly needed by our societies is not wasted. The aim must be to create a multicultural society, in the best sense of the term, and not to remain trapped in multi-ethnic structures that mean segregation rather than integration. For this, a broad-based, consciousness-building social and intercultural dialogue is needed.

16. National, regional and local authorities can take international and European standards and laws as the basis for an integration policy. The Council of Europe, the European Union and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) have drawn up a number of directives and recommendations for ‘best practice’ in this area. The EUNET Integration Network has also issued a useful comprehensive handbook on best practice, to which NGOs from the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Portugal and Malta contributed, bringing to it their knowledge of various different ‘types’ of migration. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has produced a comprehensive position paper on the integration of employees with a background of migration, which emphasises the need for a European legal basis. It rightly evokes the fact that Article 79 of the Lisbon Treaty gives the EU new possibilities for supporting the Member States in their efforts to foster integration of citizens from third countries. The EESC has set up a permanent study group on migration and integration to work together with the European Integration Forum, with the underlying assumption on the part of the EESC that demographic trends in Europe mean that more (controlled!) immigration will be essential in order to safeguard the economic and demographic balance;

17. The media, particularly the electronic media, have a significant influence on public opinion, with regard to migration as much as any other subject. They can fan the flames of prejudice, but they can also work against it. The popular press and commercial television, on occasion tend to give inflammatory accounts of isolated incidents in a way that creates the impression among some sections of the population that citizens from third countries exploit European benefit systems, are disproportionately involved in crime, etc. Responsible sections of the media should see themselves as partners in a migration policy that is directed against all forms of discrimination and that advocates integration. It would be desirable to have a code of conduct based on these principles, which would of course also include the duty to report on everything that the public is entitled to know about, including crime or serious problems. The media have a duty, in addition, to make their own contribution to integration in terms of staffing and programming. Seeing migrants on the staff of newspapers and on the screen gives out a visible signal in terms of successful integration. Editorial and programming policies must provide for the tastes of migrants; otherwise, in the age of the internet, satellite broadcasting and digital services, they will turn only to the media of their countries of origin or those in their mother tongue, thus excluding themselves from the social dialogue of the country they live in.

MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT: NEW PARTNERSHIPS

The European Association points out that:

18. Participation by migrants in the economic, political and cultural life of their host countries is an absolute precondition for any integration policy aimed at conflict-free coexistence, although integration must not be misconstrued as assimilation. Cultural diversity is also advantageous to the majority cultures. Overcoming poverty and social marginalisation benefits the whole of society. In addition, there is a humanitarian duty to take care of particularly vulnerable groups. This includes the right to schooling for children who are illegally resident in a European country, and the right of illegal residents to health care. Special protection is also owed to women threatened with violence, oppression and gender-specific persecution, as well as to victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution;

19. Integration is not only a matter for politicians at all levels, but is also an important task for civil society. It must be made part of the social and intercultural dialogue. The task of examining school textbooks and history books for discriminatory, racist and xenophobic content, and removing any that is found, also falls within this context. Sport also can make a substantial contribution to integration;

20. Citizens of the European Union are entitled to take part in local and European elections. Extending this right to regional and national elections is worthy of consideration, as is the introduction of voting rights for third-country nationals who have settled permanently in Europe, where this does not currently exist. Studies should ascertain the available knowledge on migrants' electoral behaviour and the possible effect of extending, or planning to extend, voting rights. The participation in elections would strengthen the sense of responsibility vis-à-vis the society in which migrants live.

21. Most migrants are productive members of European society, who contribute to wealth creation and pay taxes and social contributions. It must not be forgotten that migrants, with their regular transfers to their countries of origin, which amount to billions of euro, make a substantial contribution to the social stabilisation of families in those countries. Integration policy also includes engaging with migrants, for example by supporting the changes needed by local organisations working for development progress in countries of origin. In order to implement this policy, access to visas must be made easier and the sums that are transferred put to better use. Where skilled workers immigrate, a balance must be ensured, so that a brain drain from the emigration countries to the industrial host countries is avoided. For this reason particular attention must be paid to the effects of massive emigration of well trained workers with its resulting negative economic effects. According to the WHO’s health report of 2006, 25% of cases of illness worldwide occur in African countries, whereas only 3% of the world’s medical personnel are employed there. Return to their home countries of migrants who would like to support their country of origin with knowledge, ideas and better qualifications should therefore be facilitated and assisted.

TOWARDS A EUROPEAN IMMIGRATION POLICY

The European Association supports initiatives aimed at implementing a European asylum and immigration policy

I. The aim of the asylum and immigration policy is to harmonise asylum procedures and to develop a balanced approach to dealing with legal and illegal migration. The Council of Europe is in favour of a comprehensive, unified, credible plan for the regulation of migratory movements in a pan-European framework. The work of the European Committee on Migration (CDMG) forms the basis for the corresponding recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. A consensual arrangement among the Member States of the Council of Europe presupposes an equitable sharing of burdens and costs on a mandatory basis;

II. Birth deficits in Europe show that without economic immigration industrial countries are incapable of keeping their standard of living and ensuring the necessary and essential growth to maintain a dynamic economy and effective social system. The weight of the costs and benefits of immigration and integration must be borne together and shared fairly between all the countries concerned;

III. The 8th Conference of Ministers responsible for Migration of the 47 Council of Europe's Member States in Kyiv called on the organisation to devise an integrated approach to economic migration, development and social cohesion and assist Member States in its implementation including developing mechanisms for regular exchanges of information and training on necessary reforms and inter-ministerial co-operation. In order to promote economic and social progress, governments need to review the options for legal migration, promote employment opportunities on the principles or equal treatment and non-discrimination on the labour market, and combat more effectively irregular migration, especially where employers and criminal networks profit from irregular migrant labour;

IV. An effort is required to get the various European agreements on migration policy, and the pressing issues it raises, signed and ratified, if possible in all those Council of Europe member countries that have not already done so, in order to make progress on pan-European solutions. The same applies to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which came into force on 1 February 2008 and has so far been ratified by 24 countries. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, more than half the 140 000 victims of human trafficking in Europe come from the Balkans or the countries of the former Soviet Union and 80% of them are women. This form of crime is worth around USD 3 billion annually;

V. Particular attention needs to be paid to increasing economic migration inside Europe, especially from east to west and within Eastern Europe, which is already causing growing concern about ‘brain drain’ effects. What is needed here is a policy of economic compensation, creating new job prospects in the poorer countries;

VI. More solidarity is required, not only among European countries, some of which are disproportionately affected by irregular immigration and are therefore, quite justifiably, calling for support to strengthen border controls and Frontex, but also between the European countries that admit migrants and the migrants’ countries of origin – for example through the conclusion of readmission agreements;

VII. The European Union’s initiatives aimed at developing ‘mobility partnerships’ between the EU and the third countries involved are proving very effective. Also worthy of support are the cooperation projects in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership aimed at contributing to the development of the country of emigration and hence limiting the flow of migration in the Mediterranean basin, which leads to regular tragedies;

VIII. A lot of work is being done on improving the third European Refugee Fund, launched in 2008. The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) should be able to start its work shortly. A conference of all the interested parties is planned for 2012, at which an interim appraisal of progress should be possible, and an evaluation is planned for 2014. The European Parliament Former Members’ Association (FMA) as a member of the European Association will take part in that conference, where it will submit the present declaration.