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EU meets to stem illegal migrants | EU meets to stem illegal migrants |
(about 4 hours later) | |
African and European politicians are meeting in the Ghanaian capital Accra to discuss how to stem the illegal flow of African migrants to Europe. | |
One plan is to publicise in Africa the stories of hazardous journeys to Europe, in the hope of persuading would-be migrants to emigrate legally. | One plan is to publicise in Africa the stories of hazardous journeys to Europe, in the hope of persuading would-be migrants to emigrate legally. |
Another suggestion is to make it easier for Africans to get jobs legally. | |
In 2007, thousands of Africans died trying to enter the EU, either crossing the Sahara or travelling by boat. | In 2007, thousands of Africans died trying to enter the EU, either crossing the Sahara or travelling by boat. |
"Last year, around 15,000 immigrants reached one of the gateways to Europe - Spain's Canary Islands - and about 12,000 made it to Italy," said Joe Rispoli of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which is launching the programme with the EU. | "Last year, around 15,000 immigrants reached one of the gateways to Europe - Spain's Canary Islands - and about 12,000 made it to Italy," said Joe Rispoli of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which is launching the programme with the EU. |
"But several thousand others died en route." | "But several thousand others died en route." |
Brain circulation | Brain circulation |
Apart from sending home money for relatives, African countries see little benefit from the migration, but are efforts afoot to change that, says the BBC's Will Ross Accra. | Apart from sending home money for relatives, African countries see little benefit from the migration, but are efforts afoot to change that, says the BBC's Will Ross Accra. |
European countries like Spain and Italy have skills shortages and are keen to advertise in Africa for short-term contracts. | European countries like Spain and Italy have skills shortages and are keen to advertise in Africa for short-term contracts. |
With plans to help with skills training in Africa, the EU has started to talk of a brain circulation rather than a brain drain, our correspondent adds. | With plans to help with skills training in Africa, the EU has started to talk of a brain circulation rather than a brain drain, our correspondent adds. |
But the demand for jobs in Europe massively outstrips these legal offers of work. | But the demand for jobs in Europe massively outstrips these legal offers of work. |
Consequently, the only way to stem the illegal migration would be to create jobs in Africa, says our correspondent. | Consequently, the only way to stem the illegal migration would be to create jobs in Africa, says our correspondent. |