Seminar for journalists on immigration

Directorate general COMMUNICATION
Directorate for the média                                                        
PRESS SERVICE

May 6-7, Brussels

Tuesday 6 May- Room A 1 E-3 (in EN, no interpretation)

From 15:00        
Arrival, registration of journalists
(Press entrance, LOW building)
(badges, accreditation at the entrance)

15:30 - 16:00    
Introduction to the seminar
Welcome and explanation of practical matters - written
and audiovisual facilities
Yannis Darmis, Paula Fernández Hervás, EP officials, Press service

16:00 - 16:45    
An introduction to the European Parliament
EP official                  

16:45 - 17:30    
The codecision procedure                          
How decisions are taken in the European Union                          
Implications of the new Treaty for the immigration dossiers                    
Michael Shackleton, EP official

Wednesday 5 March 2008 - Room 7C 50
(Interpretation in EN, FR, DE, IT, ES, from 9:30 onwards)

09:00 - 09:30    
Immigration dossiers in the European Parliament
An introduction to topics under discussion in the European Parliament
Adoption of the directive on return of illegal immigrants - steps ahead

Baptiste Chatain, EP officials Press service

09:30 - 10:00     Position of the European Commission
What is the objective of the directive? What is the current situation?

Official European Commission

10:00 - 13:00     Panel with MEPs
Exchange of views with journalists on the objectives and implications of the directive on return of immigrants. The panel will also address the conditions of detention centres and other immigration related proposals, such as the directive on sanctions for employers of illegal immigrants and the "blue card" proposal.
Manfred WEBER (EPP-ED, DE) - rapporteur

Shadow rapporteurs:
Martine ROURE (PSE, FR)
Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT (ALDE, NL)
Jean Denise LAMBERT (Verts/ALE, UK)
Giusto CATANIA (GUE/NGL, IT) (tbc)
Rapporteurs of other related issues:
Giovanni Claudio FAVA (PSE, IT) (tbc)
Patrick GAUBERT (EPP-ED, FR) (tbc)

13:00                            
Lunch (place tbc)
MEPs and journalists are invited

15:00                                
European Parliament Plenary session starts                    
Journalists may stay to follow the plenary session (7 - 8 May)

This seminar organised by the Press service has as its objective to present to journalists topics in the immigration field that are currently being discussed in the European Parliament. A particular emphasis is given to the directive on establishing common conditions for the return of illegal immigrants.

The European Commission proposed this directive last year.  Since then, it has been largely discussed in the parliamentary committee responsible for steering it through.  It aims to reduce existing differences in legislation regarding custody or expulsion of illegal immigrants.  It establishes common rules and procedures, while safeguarding human rights.  The parliamentary committee proposes that the maximum period of temporary custody should be three months, but under certain circumstances this period could be extended up to 18 months, instead of 6 as proposed the European Commission. Currently, norms vary, for instance, being a few days maximum in France to an unlimited period in Malta.

The directive also deals with living conditions of people in temporary custody, medical assistance, retention of minors, families. Re-entry bans, collective expulsions, inspections of centres are other matters considered.

The seminar takes place ten days before the European Parliament debates and votes the first reading of this topic. The parliamentary committee on Liberties has already adopted its position, and the rapporteur, Mr Weber, is now negotiating with Council aiming to reach an agreement before the May vote.

For the adoption of this directive, the codecision procedure applies, granting Parliament legislative powers equal to Council. The seminar will be the occasion to explain what this procedure means. Once the new Treaty enters into force, codecision will apply to most immigration dossiers.

The seminar will also allow for the introduction of other topics on immigration being discussed in Parliament, such as the "blue card", sanctions to employers of illegal immigrants or the conditions of detention centres.

Contacts:
Ioannis Darmis                        
00 32 2 284 38 16 (00 32 498 98 32 69)

Paula Fernández Hervás          
00 32 2 284 25 35 (00 32 498 98 32 36)

Nadia Bezakova                                  
00 32 2 284 34 42

Baptiste Chatain
Michel Plumley