Euro-African Conference
ORAL QUESTION H-0478/06
for Question Time at the part-session in June 2006
pursuant to Rule 109 of the Rules of Procedure
by Emilio Menéndez del Valle
to the Council
The EU-African summit to be held in Rabat on 11 and 12 July 2006 is of particular importance given the numbers of immigrants flocking to various countries of southern Europe, including Spain.
The problems that cause hundreds of men, women and children to flee their countries of origin are well known: extreme poverty and despair. The new agents are also familiar: mafias.
This conference is a good opportunity to reflect jointly on the causes and effects, and for the EU to take practical measures to shoulder its responsibilities, whilst African governments would continue to shoulder theirs.
A coordinated European strategy on Africa is needed, and as far as possible the EU must promote coordination between the African countries present in Rabat, including on readmission agreements with countries of origin.
The dramatic situation affecting thousands of Africans requires a common European position on policy and development and a coordinated political and intelligence strategy.
Does the Council agree with the philosophy and measures outlined above? Is it following the programme of the African Conference which is to be held in Libya in June and possible proposals stemming from that conference?
Tabled: 29.05.2006
es