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EU agrees on key immigration pact EU agrees on key immigration pact
(about 4 hours later)
EU ministers have agreed on a sweeping new EU immigration pact, aimed at curbing illegal migration while easing conditions for highly-skilled workers.EU ministers have agreed on a sweeping new EU immigration pact, aimed at curbing illegal migration while easing conditions for highly-skilled workers.
The pact, set to be approved by EU leaders next month, will make it harder for member states to grant mass amnesties for illegal migrants.The pact, set to be approved by EU leaders next month, will make it harder for member states to grant mass amnesties for illegal migrants.
It will also introduce an EU "blue card" scheme to attract workers in demand, such as engineers and nurses.It will also introduce an EU "blue card" scheme to attract workers in demand, such as engineers and nurses.
The plan is a priority for France, the current holder of the EU presidency.The plan is a priority for France, the current holder of the EU presidency.
Only this week, six people are believed to have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe's shores, and boats carrying almost 400 others were intercepted heading for Italy.Only this week, six people are believed to have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe's shores, and boats carrying almost 400 others were intercepted heading for Italy.
This year, EU patrol boats have stopped more than 20,000 people trying to cross the Mediterranean from Africa, with record numbers reaching Malta and Sicily.
The new European pact on immigration and asylum warns that the EU does not have the resources to decently receive all the migrants hoping to find a better life in Europe.The new European pact on immigration and asylum warns that the EU does not have the resources to decently receive all the migrants hoping to find a better life in Europe.
The French Immigration Minister Brice Hortefeux, who chaired the meeting, said the pact would ensure Europe "is neither a bunker nor a sieve".
Demographic pressureDemographic pressure
The pact, which has political rather than legal force, urges member states not to offer mass amnesties to illegal immigrants, as done in the past by Spain and Italy, and to ensure that foreigners without papers are removed.The pact, which has political rather than legal force, urges member states not to offer mass amnesties to illegal immigrants, as done in the past by Spain and Italy, and to ensure that foreigners without papers are removed.
But with Europe's population rapidly ageing, it also calls for better conditions for highly-skilled migrants.But with Europe's population rapidly ageing, it also calls for better conditions for highly-skilled migrants.
Interior ministers are close to an agreement on an EU Blue Card, aiming to rival the American Green Card in attracting computer engineers, nurses and other much-needed, highly-skilled foreign workers to Europe.Interior ministers are close to an agreement on an EU Blue Card, aiming to rival the American Green Card in attracting computer engineers, nurses and other much-needed, highly-skilled foreign workers to Europe.
There is still disagreement about which qualifications are to be included and how much the migrants should earn. But what is clear is that they will not be able to move across Europe as easily as originally planned and that is bound to raise doubts about how useful the Blue Card will turn out to be.There is still disagreement about which qualifications are to be included and how much the migrants should earn. But what is clear is that they will not be able to move across Europe as easily as originally planned and that is bound to raise doubts about how useful the Blue Card will turn out to be.
The Czech Republic insists the Blue Card should not come into force until Germany and Austria have lifted all restrictions on workers from the new EU member states, and that could be as late as 2011.