ALDE

ALDE
Policy Papers
October 2006 - May 2007

2006-2007 POLICY PAPERS ALDE
Table of Contents
About ALDE 5
Competition Policy 7
Defence Policy 19
Enlargement Policy 29
Immigration and Integration Policies 37
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Members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
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About ALDE
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is a political
group in the centre of the European Parliament which brings together
MEPs from 22 countries, representing Liberal and Democratic parties
across the European Union. These parties share a common vision and
ambition for Europe – that we can achieve more by acting together
than by each of the Member States acting separately.
ALDE advocates an open-minded and forward-looking approach to

European Union politics combining individual liberty, a free and dy-
namic business culture, economic and social solidarity, a concern for
the future of our environment and respect and tolerance for cultural,
religious and linguistic diversity.
Our vision for the EU is of a Europe which reaches out to all European
countries which respect the principles of democracy, rule of law, human
rights and a market economy.
We work towards the promotion of sustainable economic growth lead-

ing to more and better quality jobs, more consumer choice and greater
opportunity for business and entrepreneurship.
We strive for freedom, security and justice for all European citizens, and
standing up for human rights and combating discrimination in all its
forms, with the aim to further peace, justice and stability in the world,
thus alleviating poverty, and cooperating through international insti-
tutions. We support the reform of the EU institutions to make Europe
more comprehensible, transparent, responsive and accountable to its
citizens.
The European Union’s achievements to date are impressive – half a

century of peace, prosperity and stability. Instead of fighting each other,
Europe’s nations have learned to harness their collective knowledge
and experience to a common enterprise and provide opportunity and
progress for all of Europe’s citizens.
Together we can achieve a Europe that is stronger, fairer, greener, more

open and more prosperous. Together we can free Europe’s potential.
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Competition
Policy
October 2006
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Introduction
This paper was drawn up by the Liberal and Democrat group in
the European Parliament following a number of discussions on
recent high profile cross-border merger cases in the EU.
It serves as a guide to Liberal Democrat thinking in this area at

European level and a statement of principles to guarantee free,
fair and open competition in Europe’s Single Market.
1. Our over-arching objective is to create the highest possible

level of well-being for the citizens of Europe. We do not see an
efficient competition policy as a goal in itself but as a tool to
create an environment where Europeans can exercise greater
free choice. This freedom is essential for a higher standard of
living and for an improved quality of life for the individual. It also
creates a business environment that encourages innovation and
progress and, simultaneously, improves Europe’s position in the
global economic context.
2. In a globalised world, we need to be competitive to meet

the new challenges we face. The way we conceive competition
policy is therefore crucial, since it has an effect on the consumer’s
every-day-life. We need to change, to make structure and attitude
changes, to compete while boosting our internal market, research,
innovation, social cohesion and competitiveness.
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Internal Market We support a strong European

competition policy that creates
the proper environment to
Competition policy is a decisive guarantee healthy competition
element for a successful European from being undermined by
economy, which guarantees the anticompetitive practices,
functioning of the internal market, abuses of dominant position and
while allowing technological distorted competition.
innovation to flourish. According
to the Treaty, a common European
competition policy is crucial to Liberals and Democrats will be
ensure that consumers enjoy the at the vanguard of promoting
benefits of Europe’s open market. competition policy in response
Competition policy is about to recent cases of “economic
maintaining checks and balances protectionism” within the internal
within an economy. market. We must ensure the
efficiency of competition policy
as a prerequisite for the welfare
of European consumers.
For this reason we welcomed the

2004 review of the instruments
of the EU competition policy
(antitrust, merger control, control
of state aid and liberalisation
measures) and the Commission’s
decision to set out a proactive
competition policy. We are also
carefully monitoring the ongoing
technical consultations launched
by the Commission (e.g., Article
82 of the TEC) and the review
of Competition Authorities
that might lead to profound
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changes to the way the same

Commission, Member States,
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National Competition Authorities

and Courts will act in future in
relation to competition policy.
Moreover, we endorse the need
for a review of competition
policy in the light of the great
technological changes we are
experiencing which make it
more difficult, for example, to
define what we mean by the
market (e.g., Microsoft case).The
modernisation of competition law
and its enforcement is essential
for ensuring competition in an
enlarged Europe as well as in a
global market.
Nevertheless we recognise
that many sectors in Europe
remain fragmented and
markets segregated (e.g.,
transport) characterised by weak
competition and persistently high
prices. Likewise, several issues
that hamper competition remain
to be tackled (e.g. asymmetric
information and product
differentiation). These obstacles
weaken the entire European
economy and the EU’s position in
the international market.
More than ever, we consider

that a coherent policy has a
fundamental role to play in
ensuring competition in the
European context.
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Protectionism, Mergers the best economic performances,

deliver low prices and high quality
and Champions to consumers through economies
of scale and challenge their global
competitors.
As Liberals and Democrats, we
reject “economic protectionism”,
which harms the internal market The idea of ‘European champions’
and the efficiency of European raises concerns in relatively
companies on a global level. Our inefficient economies since they
real competitors are not within will bear the greatest cost of
Europe, but in the rest of the economies of scale resulting in
world. “Economic protectionism” cutting surplus jobs, downsizing
in favour of national champions and out-sourcing.
goes against the very spirit of the
European Union.
Such practices are not new but
part of any business strategy. Most
people will recognise that Europe
has not much need for a coal
mining industry as it is replaced
by other, cleaner sources of
energy. Textile manufacturing has
largely gone to the Far East, whilst
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textile designing has flourished

in Europe. Ship building is such a
We should not be afraid of costly and demand-driven activity
European Champions – companies that bulk commercial vessels are
born often of cross-border mergers now mainly built in Korea while
which are large enough to take on more specialised, luxury cruise
international competitors. Such
companies would not undermine
competition since they would be
relevant to the entire European
market. We understand European
Champions as companies which,
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driven by competition, produce
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liners are often built in Finland or The challenge is how to

Italy. Europeans must concentrate manage the transition to a post-
on producing what they do best industrial economy, providing
and buy the rest. incentives, training, flexibility
and opportunities enough for the
people of Europe not to fear the
In response to those who might prospect of changes lying ahead.
fear that European champions
could be detrimental to SMEs, we
believe that they would produce
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positive cascade effects on SMEs
(such as poles of excellence, orders
from subcontractors etc.).
National champions created

by government intervention
are ultimately detrimental to
the domestic economy, and its
consumers. They are too rigid
to adapt to market changes,
considerably more inefficient
and therefore unable to rise to the
challenge of the global market.
The most recent waves of

cross-border mergers are the results
of the long-term effect of market
integration in Europe, the
widening of the market
through globalisation – thanks
to technological evolution –
the introduction of the Euro and
the need for restructuring and
redeploying vis-à-vis emerging
economies.
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Liberalisation, State Aid that this is due to the lack of

competition rather than to an
and Strategic sectors excess of liberalisation, caused
by the initial failure to ensure
favourable market conditions.
As Liberals and Democrats we
In certain cases (e.g., Dutch and
criticise the unconditional use of
German privatisation of the energy
state aid, especially when leading
sector) state-owned enterprises,
to distortions of competition and
which had a monopoly power,
we support the belief that state
were privatised without a suitable
aids are not the solution to much
competition policy and adequate
needed structural reforms in the
regulatory mechanisms, resulting
EU. We welcome the Commission’s
in a transfer of monopoly power
proposal for “less but better
from the public to the private
targeted state aid”; bearing in
sector. The first priority of local
mind that state intervention must
governments was to cover their
be of a temporary and limited
budget deficit failing to ensure
nature. The added value of any
adequate competition. For
given state aid should be clearly
this reason, we would urge the
measurable for the immediate
Commission to investigate the
beneficiaries and have positive
causes that provoked a rise of
effects on the economy as a
prices after liberalisation in certain
whole. We do not welcome state
sectors.
aid within the internal market, nor
do we support the use of state aid
to protect our companies from
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global competition.
Some who challenge the

effectiveness of competition
claim that liberalisation in certain
sectors has not resulted in lower
prices for consumers and that in
Designed by Lara Szpiro
some cases liberalization has led

to significant increases in prices.
Liberals and Democrats contend
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National interest in preserving Recent discussions have also

strategic sectors is another reason focused on the need of the
often offered by governments European Union to secure access
determined to protect national to adequate energy supplies,
companies. Nevertheless, we since Europe is increasingly
agree with the argument that dependent on energy imports
governments’ claim is driven and potentially vulnerable to
more by the desire to guarantee geopolitical instabilities. This
continued national ownership of is indeed a very real concern,
companies, in view of creating but it is through competition,
national champions, rather than innovation and diplomacy that
by concerns for national security. the EU should gain independence
from foreign imports, not through
protectionism and isolationism.
We acknowledge that Member
States as well as the European
Union wish to retain control over Nonetheless, even if we label a
some sectors, such as defence sector strategic, it should not
- though even here Member mean that it is exempt from the
States recognise the advantages rules of competition altogether.
of common procurement and Moreover, strategic sectors
European champions like EADS. should be defined as narrowly as
possible, discriminating between
priorities within the individual
sector itself. More should be
done by the Commission to
demonstrate that in the long term
competition policy will not lead to
the deterioration of sectors that
might be considered strategic.
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Summary and practices can restrict trade in

small and developing countries.
International Aspects Therefore, as part of the EU effort
to help developing countries, the
Union should open its markets
We fear that some prerequisites on the basis of fair and clear
to beneficial competition have competition rules.
not been achieved through
the European Union’s policies,
jeopardising the realisation of the
internal market; (e.g., electricity
and gas market, car market).
Complex inter-relationships exist

between competition policy
and other economic policies.
Nevertheless, it can be argued
that competition policy is broad
and comprehensive in its scope, its
purpose being to bring European
policies in harmony and create a
common level-playing field within
the internal market, ultimately
encouraging consumer welfare ©belpress.com
and growth.
We highlight the importance of

Moreover we believe that
competition policy also as a means
the principle of safeguarding
to reach other goals, such as social
labour, environmental and social
welfare, environmental protection
standards should be taken into
and development. Concerning
account in defining the rules
support for development
of competition. All the hidden
strategies, we believe that, without
costs of lowering these standards
an effective competition policy,
should be accounted for in
international anti-competitive
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defining the laws of the market. Moreover, the real independence of

Competition policy must take into National Competition Authorities
consideration these principles and from both industrial lobbyists and
internationalise them to promote national governments must be
undistorted competition. In this preserved.
respect we call on Member States
to mandate the Commission to
negotiate with third country
partners the adoption of higher
social and environmental norms.
We encourage the Commission in
its relations with the international
institutions (e.g., WTO) to seek a
broad international convergence
on these important issues.
We believe the EU has already the

tools and the legal framework
to ensure greater efficiency
of competition policy. It is
nevertheless important that the
Commission remains vigilant
in order to guarantee vigorous
enforcement of competition law
at home and greater convergence
abroad.
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Defence
Policy
October 2006
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Introduction
The events of 1989 changed the EU’s perception of Defence
matters, just as Sep 2001 changed thinking in the USA. Moreover,
the geopolitical challenges have evolved considerably since the
adoption of the European Security Strategy in 2003 (ESS). ALDE
believes that a revision of the ESS is necessary.
While we are looking for appropriate ways to fight international

terrorism, prevent the further proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and their means of delivery, manage the crisis stemming
from regional conflicts and state failure and combat international
organised crime, the international community has to deal with
more general challenges - the globalisation of energy dependence,
the sensitive relations between Western societies and much of the
Islamic world, demographic developments, migration from poor to
rich regions, the impact of climate and environment changes and
the risk of global pandemics - which have become more tangible
in terms of their practical consequences for the member countries
of the EU.
There is also renewed discussion on the role of the EU can and

should play in the world in relation to other major international
players, including emerging powers such as India and China.
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European Security and intervention in Europe, in its

geographical neighbourhood and
Defence Policy in the world if such operations
are necessary. ALDE insists on
the necessity of the creation of a
As for ALDE, the development
European civil protection force in
of a genuine European Security
order to fulfil these objectives;
and Defence Policy is an integral
part of the Common Security and e) develop common guidelines
Foreign Policy and an effective and rules of engagement for
contribution to the European military operations with special
Union’s international credibility respect to safeguarding human
and visibility. rights, good governance and the
rule of law.
The EU must be in a position to:

ALDE points out that the EU
a) defend itself where necessary
cannot limit itself to policing, if
either jointly with its allies or, if
it is to contribute effectively to
necessary, alone;
the re-modelling of a workable
b) fullfill the Petersberg tasks and peaceful world order. A fully
incorporated in the treaty of fledged European army should in
the European Union in 1997: this respect be progressively built
Humanitarian and rescue up.
tasks, peacekeeping tasks
and tasks of combat forces in
crisis management, including
peacemaking;
ESDP and NATO
c) secure peace and stability in
The scale and scope of current
its geographical neighbourhood
security threats requires a co-
and in other parts of the world if
operative NATO-EU relationship
agreed by the European Council
that maximises the assets of both
and/or requested by UN Security
organisations and puts an end to
Council after consultation of the
institutional bickering. A more
European Parliament;
systematic process of consultation
d) carry out civil protection, rescue and coordination is imperative
operations and humanitarian to ensure that resources are
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used effectively and that the NATO is the appropriate forum for
plans and responses of NATO transatlantic dialogue on security
and the EU are better balanced issues and the indispensable bond
and harmonised. A constructive to link USA and European Security
relationship between NATO and interests. For it to work properly,
EU is a key component of a vibrant however, EU Member States which
transatlantic relationship. are NATO Members should play a
more positive role in NATO.
ALDE sees ESDP and NATO policy

as complementary without one
being subservient to the other.
Nevertheless, ALDE considers
that increasing the effectiveness
of ESDP will require a profound
clarification of its nature vis-à-vis
the US and its non-EU allies.
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Research
ALDE believes that the co- ALDE calls for the establishment
operation between the EU and of a European Security Research
NATO should be more political Programme (ESRP).
and should go beyond the mere
implementation of the Berlin plus The ESRP should fund research
arrangements. 19 countries of the activities targeted at the
EU belong to both organisations. developments of systems and
products that are useful:
For ALDE, NATO remains the
guarantor of common security a) in particular for the protection
for most countries of the Union of Member States territory,
in the event of an agression by the sovereignty, domestic population
armed forces of a third country. and critical infrastructure against
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transnational threats. joint deterrent. The UK is currently

b) for EU missions outside the debating the future of its nuclear
Union for peace keeping, conflict deterrent.
prevention and strengthening
international security. ALDE believes that consultation
between France, the UK and the
other EU Member States should
EU Nuclear deterrence be envisaged in order to reach a
common EU policy.
Nuclear Weapons proliferation is
an increasingly worrying aspect
of weapons development. The Space
EU should play an active role in
reviving disarmament talks and in ALDE believes that the EU cannot
seeking respect for the NNPT. ignore space nor remain out of it.
The first basic objective should be
France and the United Kingdom the stabilisation of the European
consider their nuclear forces the presence in space in order to
ultimate means of defending guarantee Europe’s space capacity
their vital interests. In 1995, for the future, consistent with its
France made the suggestion that political and economic weight
Europe should give thought to a and able to fulfil the needs of an
articulated European Security and
Defence Policy.
However ALDE is deeply

concerned about the prospect
of an arms race in space and
calls for the elaboration of an
international convention. ALDE
believes there is an urgent need
to update the 1967 Outer Space
Treaty, which calls for the use of
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space to be conducted “for the
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benefit and in the interests of all

countries”. The US-USSR Incidents
An Eurozone for ESDP
at Sea Accors (INCSEA) of 1972,
which has served as a model for While all Member States are equal
comparable agreements signed according to the Treaties, their
by more than thirty other seafaring military capabilities, their military
nations, might be used as a basis traditions and their Constitutional
for a new treaty for spacefaring provisions regarding military
nations which should also contain action, are different. ALDE
“rules of the road” to help prevent considers that Member States able
dangerous military activities and willing to contribute most to
leading to incidents of conflict. It ESDP capabilities should have
would include provisions against the right to do so. However, no
simulated attacks, the testing and Member States should be forced
deployment of space weapons against its will to participate in
and dangerous manoeuvres in specific missions.
space.
Intelligence
Developing international and
cross-agency cooperation has
become imperative in today’s ©belpress.com
security environment.
The EU should concentrate on ALDE welcomes the gradual

facilitating direct cooperation establishment of EU ‘battlegroups’
among national agencies. ALDE and calls for the establishment
insists on the establishment of an Eurozone for ESDP. The
of an European Intelligence intergovernmental methodology
Communication Network in order to which led to the creation of the
facilitate the cooperation between European currency could be used
the different national intelligence to advance the concept of an
agencies of the EU Member States. European army.
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Parliamentary scrutiny promoting peace and security

based on: conflict prevention,
crisis management, and
ALDE stresses the need to postconflict institution building.
strengthen the mechanisms of Furthermore, cooperation in
parliamentary oversight of ESDP defence procurement through
development in general and the E.D.A. will be essential to the
ESDP missions in particular. ALDE success of ESDP.
highlights the need to provide pro-
active information and conduct
debates before joint actions in the ALDE insists that the
field of the ESDP are decided so intergovernmental budget of
that parliaments can voice their the ESDP should be guaranteed
opinion and concerns. by the member states
and complemented by the
community budget: this would
Future developments have the advantage of reflecting
more accurately the operating
methods and the spirit of the
of ESDP ESDP (Intergovernmental and
community action) and would also
ALDE points out that an effective have the advantage of its scrutiny
ESDP will require further by the European Parliament.
modernisation of the Member
States’ armed forces. Reorientation
of spending and investment might
not suffice, so that increases in
military spending, both at the
EU level and by the Member
States might be considered. The
completion of an effective Rapid
Reaction Task Force is a priority
as is the further development of
the European Defence Agency
(E.D.A.). The EU must develop
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a Defence Identity and pursue

a comprehensive approach to
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European
Union
enlargement
May 2007
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A solution is needed only be maintained if the Union

itself remains open for potential
to the constitutional new members. One of the most
important criteria of enlargement
is referring to common values and
problem common pursuance on a road of
progress in a sphere of political
integration.
The ALDE Group maintains
that finding a solution to the However, it is important to recall
constitutional crisis remains the that while the European Union
key objective for the European must remain open for possible
Union as only this can provide the new members, the recruitments
European Union with the political of new member states should not
self-confidence to move ahead. become its prime objective nor
should the objective of integration
be to get more and more member
states.
Honour political
© European Commission
responsibilities
As regards the question of The European Union has
enlargement and future responsibilities that must be met
accessions, the current TEU in good faith, in line with the
article 49 must remain the base existing Treaty obligations and
for the Union’s approach, as long- established criteria. The Union
term membership prospects and its institutions, in particular
give neighbouring countries the Commission, have developed
a sense of direction and hope. considerable expertise in assisting
The transformative force of candidate countries to prepare
European Union ‘soft-power’ can for membership of the Union.
Both the Copenhagen criteria
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and this process should be The ALDE group points out that the
codified and included in a revised further the enlargement goes on,
Constitutional Treaty the Union so the greater the need to safeguard
urgently needs. and promote the recognition of
regional and linguistic minorities,
as a larger Union will comprise
more states with a considerable
internal heterogeneity.
As regards the other countries in

the Western Balkans, the ALDE
Group underlines that much still
need to be done before their
The European Union is already in concrete membership process
the early negotiating stage with can be started. The ALDE Group
Croatia and approaching the supports the Stabilisation and
negotiations with Macedonia; Association process but underlines
the ALDE Group looks forward to that the implementation of this
the successful conclusion of these whole policy should be more
negotiations. energetic than what is the case
today.
We strongly support Turkey’s
modernisation along European Political stability must be
lines, and are critically and achieved and state structures
constructively engaged in that function satisfactorily must
the present negotiations with be in place before the accession
Turkey, whose outcome cannot to the European Union. At this
be foreseen. It is crucial, however, stage, no date for accession can
to underline the importance be established, but it could be
of progress in development of useful to establish benchmarks
democracy, respect of human in the process.
rights and rights of minorities.
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Artificial timetables should be consideration of absorption

avoided, and countries should capacity.
accede only when ready and fully
prepared.
Content of the
A timetable that allows Neighbourhood Policy
for reflection
In order to further assist these and
other neighbouring countries,
The European Union must refrain like Ukraine and Moldova, which
from declaring a formal pause regard membership of or closer
or moratorium on enlargement. structural co-operation with
However, the time available the European Union as their
during the current negotiation ultimate objective, the emerging
phase can and should be used to Neighbourhood Policy must be
give the Union a Constitutional ambitious and comprehensive in
Framework and implement the content. Free trade and flexible
necessary political and economic participation in EU policies and
reforms needed to increase trust programmes will guarantee that
and confidence of its citizens transformation based on ‘soft-
and fulfil the EU’s economic power’ can continue.
potential.
The message to potential

candidate states must be to
be patient and continue with
necessary internal reforms
because the European Union has

not shut the door on them.
In assessing potential members of

the EU, the Copenhagen criteria The Union’s objective must be to
should be our guide. They include expand the area of stability and
prosperity beyond its borders
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through structured co-operation, true partnership must consist of

notably on issues like economic more than simply economic co-
co-operation, mutual opening of operation. Democratic values and
markets, communications and the respect for fundamental human
protection of the environment. rights should be the cornerstones
Attention must also be paid to of a EU-Russia partnership.
border management, police
co-operation and respect for
fundamental rights and to gradual
visa facilitation that extends
freedom of movement which, in
turns, guarantees the spread of
economic prosperity.
One possibility could be to

explore the possibility of creating
an ‘associate membership’. Such
a category may be suitable
for neighbouring countries
unwilling or unable to become
full members. A specific category
might be explored for existing
member states which choose to
reduce their commitment. In order to support the democratic
forces in Belarus and to promote
democracy, rule of law and market
The ALDE Group supports efforts to economy, the European Union
create a close co-operation based should initiate a ‘Plan for Freedom’,
on cmmon vales with a democratic which should be more focussed
Russia. This co-operation has met than a Neighbourhood Action
obstacles that are not caused Plan, for instance on economic and
by the European Union. While administrative help for necessary
Russia’s future ultimately lies in reforms on a wide scale.
the hands of her own citizens, the
EU’s policy towards Russia must
be coherent and measured, as a
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The European Union must make 1. A ‘multi-speed’ approach

full use of international and ‘enhanced cooperation’ in which
European co-operation fora, like a group of Member States decides
the Council of Europe and the to move ahead faster than others
OSCE. towards common objectives
and within the context of EU
institutions, but with the aim to
An enlarged Union secure full participation of all
members later on. Such initial
should insist on its core diversification can be a positive
engine of integration as both the
values Schengen system and the eurozone
demonstrate. Schengen started
as a strictly intergovernmental
Enlargement should be
treaty amongst a limited number
accompanied by a deepening
of states, and was subsequently
of the Union’s democratic
incorporated in the EU-treaty.
structure and the role of the
New member states have from
European Parliament and
the start been keen on fully
national parliaments, as well as
participating in the system. As far
an increased focus on securing
the single currency is concerned,
the Union’s core values, the four
a more coherent approach to
fundamental freedoms - free
structural reform on behalf of
movement of goods, labour,
the Eurogroup will dynamise the
services and capital.
European economy.
Increased flexibility will be needed

in an expanding European Union.
This will take two forms, both
of which will contribute to a
deepening of the Union’s federal
characteristics while safeguarding
the democratic structure and the
role of the European Parliament

and national parliaments;
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2. A new form of differentiation As fewer funds are now

would be crated if a group of available, we must increase the
member states both willing and added-value of EU assistance
capable of sustaining closer and complement spending
integration would form inside on traditional infrastructure
the Union a federate core with its projects with increased focus on
own institutions. The core must democracy development and
be open for the other EU member institutional capacity building. The
states to join later. influence gained by the European
Parliament through the adoption
of new financial instruments
Spend Better for external action will assist in
reaching this objective.
The financial perspectives agreed

for the period 2007-2013 allows The Common Foreign and
insufficient support for the external Security Policy (CFSP) must be
actions of the Union. Funding for strengthened but at the same
the Neighbourhood Policy and for time be more open to democratic
Pre-Accession Assistance will not control.
be sufficient, as the total amount
available for these two instruments
amounts to only 3% of total EU
spending over this period.
A persistent and serious effort must

be made to increase this amount
in the review of the financial
system in 2008-2009 and fully
explain how financial assistance to
neighbouring countries constitutes
a wise investment with pay-offs
including greater political stability
and security and opportunities in

emerging markets.
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Immigration
and integration
policies of the
European Union
May 2007
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Managing substantial discussion of what

kind of workers are needed
economic migration remains. There is certainly a
demand for highly skilled workers,
manual labour and seasonal
ALDE recognises that the reality of labour depending on the specific
ageing and demographic changes needs and characteristics of the
will necessitate rethinking national labour market. However,
immigration policies, as at current ALDE believes that at EU level
migration flows, the decline in the there is a clear need to harmonise
EU working age population will the conditions and criteria for
entail a fall of about 20 million the entry of economic migrants,
employed people between 2010 leaving the defining of specific
and 2030. needs for economic migrants as
a Member State competence, with
annual needs made public in an
EU-wide database.
While the EU foresees opening its

borders to third-country workers,

ALDE believes that the priority
should be the lifting of remaining
One of the answers could be internal barriers to the free
more sustained economic movement of workers from the
immigration flows while taking new Member States. ALDE calls
fully into account the reception for a phasing out of transitional
capacities of the Member States, arrangements as soon as possible
so as to meet the needs of the EU considering that freedom of
labour market in order to ensure movement has to also be applied
Europe’s prosperity and the Lisbon to the employment market. ALDE
employment targets. believes that it is a necessary step
for strengthening a sense of EU
citizenship.
While recognising that economic
immigration is necessary,
38
On the condition that clear The damaging effects of the “brain

information is available in both drain” must be avoided, fostering
the countries of origin and transit, instead “brain circulation”. It
legal migration channels could should be considered to allow
be of added value fighting illegal third country nationals to have a
migration. The setting up of an short term Green card or multiple

EU Green Card system (combined entries that would allow them
residence and work permit) to travel between the Union
should be foreseen, possibly with and their countries of origin as
the use of short term Green cards well as to favour the exchange
for seasonal labour. of experiences and know-how.
This would help facilitate an
exchange of persons and should
be introduced in cooperation with
initiatives in the field of economy
and education. ALDE notes
that a pragmatic view on the
phenomenon of “brain circulation”
is essential in order to align
policies and public statements
with reality.
In addition, a multiple entry
system should be foreseen in
order to benefit loyal seasonal In the absence of an EU common
workers and to avoid pushing immigration policy, Member
economic immigrants into States have different approaches
an illegal situation once their to the problem of hundreds of
seasonal work has ended so as to thousands of illegal immigrants
allow them to come back to the working illegally and without
EU. It is necessary to work towards any social protection. En masse
the creation of a legal migration regularisation of illegal immigrants
system for other categories of is not an adequate response since
economic migrants staying for such a measure does not resolve
longer periods, while for example the actual underlying problems.
anticipating the possibility of
family reunification.
39
Any comprehensive approach to illegal immigration and set up

immigration must take account of effective information campaigns
the “push factors” that lead people on the possibilities for entering
to leave their countries in the first and/or working legally in the EU
place, necessitating clear plans Member States.
for development and investment
in the countries of origin and
transit, notably by facilitating the
money transfers of migrants to
Immigration and
their countries of origin or putting responsibility sharing
It is important to recognise that
increased migration flows should
be seen as a global phenomenon
with numerous causes and effects
that require which a balanced,
global and coherent approach.

In view of the disproportionate
number of immigrants faced by
in place trade and agricultural some Member States and the
policies that promote economic demands it subsequently puts
opportunities, as well as for the on these Member States, ALDE
development of democracy, the believes that there should be a
Rule of Law, human rights and sharing of responsibilities and
fundamental freedoms. burdens at EU level.
ALDE therefore believes that a The Refugee fund, as well as the

partnership approach with the Integration fund are already
countries of origin and transit in place but the Union should
is needed to ensure that they consider further steps to ensure
play an active part in helping solidarity between the Member
to manage the migration flows, States, so as to provide a more
prevent illegal immigration by efficient support of Member
informing potential migrants of States’ actions.
the risks incurred in the case of
40
in fact assume a fair share of the

burden.
The EU return directive, dealing

with the return of illegally staying
third-country nationals, is currently
being negotiated between

Council and Parliament. ALDE
recognises that it is legitimate
for states to return people based
As the geographical location
on the precondition that fair and
of Member States in relation
efficient asylum systems, which
to migrants’ travel routes is a
properly consider whether an
significant factor, ALDE believes
asylum seeker would be at risk
this is another argument for
of persecution if returned, are
responsibility sharing at the EU
in place. Therefore an EU return
level. The Dublin II convention
policy is necessary to complete
includes a set of criteria for
the creation and functioning of
determining the Member State
a Common European Asylum
responsible for examining each
system.
asylum application, principally
giving responsibility to the first
Member State through which ALDE believes that it is necessary to
the asylum seeker entered the continue negotiating readmission
European Union. As a first step agreements with third countries
responsibility sharing could take as part of the Union’s wider
the form of financial compensation migration management strategy,
and technical assistance to the which is based on cooperation
most affected Member States. with countries of origin with a view
to developing a real partnership
on migration issues. Readmission
If the Dublin II regulation were
constitutes the last resort and
to be revised, a legally binding
voluntary return is to be preferred
burden sharing mechanism at
to forced return.
EU level should be agreed to
ensure that Member States do
41
Fighting human beings. The development

of the FRONTEX agency is one
illegal migration such concrete step, where the
Union is seeking to support those
Member States that are charged
ALDE stresses that any measures with securing the EU external
to combat illegal migration border. It is therefore essential
and to step up external border that FRONTEX, which has only
controls, also if in cooperation been established very recently,
with third countries, must be receives the budgetary means
compatible with the safeguards that will ensure it gets the staff
and the fundamental rights of and equipment necessary to
the individual laid down in the accomplish its mission.
Charter of Fundamental Rights
of the European Union and the
ALDE believes that before
European Convention for the
discussing the turning of
Protection of Human Rights and
FRONTEX into a fully-fledged
Fundamental Freedoms, notably
European Border Corps, it remains
the right to asylum and the right
essential to ensure that its primary
of non-refoulement.
coordinating and supporting role
is fully accomplished.
With the borderless Schengen
area, the task of securing the
ALDE considers it a priority to
external borders of the Union has
quickly put in place the RABIT
become increasingly important,
(RApid Border Intervention
so as to fight the trafficking of
Teams), an instrument which
is closely linked to FRONTEX
and which aims to reinforce the
solidarity between Member States
in case of a massive influx of
illegal immigration at the Union’s
external borders. Having regard to
their Constitution, effectively each
Member State is to ensure the
presence of a reserve of qualified
42
personnel with special training acknowledging that currently an

to be temporarily available for integration policy at EU level is
FRONTEX to assist the border currently subject to the principle
guards of other Member States of subsidiarity, migrants should
facing a sudden and massive influx be offered the same basic rights
of illegal immigrants at the Union’s in all Member States. However,
external border so as to permit ensuring basic rights does not
the creation of genuine European guarantee a good integration
rapid border intervention teams. process. National, regional and
Border checks and action to local authorities play an important
combat illegal immigration can role and should assume their
be only one aspect of the EU’s responsibility, depending on the
policy towards non-EU countries. local circumstances. United in
An ´active country of origin and diversity, there is no such thing
transit development policy´ must as one full fledged integration
be established with a view to policy on a European level, as
minimising the damaging effects Member States apply different
of emigration. ALDE believes integration models depending
that an EU “Marshall plan” should on local circumstances.
be considered, where financial
support and trade agreements are
linked to democracy, human rights’
development and migration so as
to offer an alternative to people
leaving their country of origin.
Integration
and EU Citizenship
ALDE believes that a coherent ALDE believes that integration
European immigration policy should be considered as a‘two-way
must be accompanied by an process’ that presupposes both
ambitious integration policy. While the immigrants’ willingness to, and
responsibility in, integrating into
43
their host society and EU citizens’ population and the host country’s
willingness to accept and include population is a key part of
immigrants. integration policies. This should
be achieved by specific language
courses and introduction
programmes in civic traditions
of the host country to ensure
that the immigrants understand,
respect and benefit from common
European and national values.
Ensuring the promotion of
fundamental rights, non-
discrimination and equal
opportunities for all are key
integration issues, which

ALDE will pursue, thus seeking
to eliminate the social and
economic barriers that migrants
The integration into the labour may face in our societies.
market, the right to education The EU directive on long-term
and training, access to social and residents - third-country nationals
health-care services as well as that have been legally resident
immigrants’ participation in social, for an uninterrupted period of
cultural and political life should five years - provides that long-
be promoted, and constructive term residents will enjoy equal
intercultural dialogue and treatment to nationals in a number
thoughtful public discourse be of areas of socio-economic life.
developed. Voting rights are, however, not
regulated, but as part of a better
integration into society ALDE
Employment of immigrants encourages the Member States
remains one of the keys to to grant the right to vote in local
successful integration. Improving and municipal elections to third
the employment prospects country nationals and stateless
of immigrants and reducing persons permanently residing in
the employment gap which the EU for more than five years.
exists between the immigrant
44
45
Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats

for Europe
Brussels address:
European Parliament
Rue Wiertz
B-1047 Brussels
tel: + 32 2 284 21 11
fax: + 32 2 230 24 85
Strasbourg address:
Parlement Européen
Allée de Printemps
B.P 1024
F-67070 Strasbourg
tel: + 33 3 88 17 40 01
fax: + 33 3 88 17 69 29
e-mail: aldegroup@europarl.europa.eu
www.alde.eu/ www.adle.eu
46
47
“Our over-arching objective is to create the
highest possible level of well-being for the
citizens of Europe. We do not see an efficient
competition policy as a goal in itself but
as a tool to create an environment where
Europeans can exercise greater free choice.
This freedom is essential for a higher standard
of living and for an improved quality of life
for the individual. It also creates a business
environment that encourages innovation
and progress and, simultaneously, improves
Europe’s position in the global economic
context.”
excerpt from Competition policy
“ALDE points out that an effective ESDP

will require further modernisation of the
Member States’ armed forces. Reorientation
of spending and investment might not suffice,
so that increases in military spending, both at
the EU level and by the Member States might
be considered. The completion of an effective
Rapid Reaction Task Force is a priority as is the
further development of the European Defence
Agency (E.D.A.).”
excerpt from Defence policy
“Enlargement should be accompanied by a

deepening of the Union’s democratic structure
and the role of the European Parliament and
national parliaments, as well as an increased
focus on securing the Union’s core values, the
four fundamental freedoms - free movement
of goods, labour, services and capital.”
excerpt from Enlargement policy
© Designed by Lara Szpiro
www.alde.eu/ www.adle.eu
48

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October 2006 - May 2007

Members of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe

ALDE advocates an open-minded and forward-looking approach to

We work towards the promotion of sustainable economic growth lead-

The European Union’s achievements to date are impressive – half a

Together we can achieve a Europe that is stronger, fairer, greener, more

It serves as a guide to Liberal Democrat thinking in this area at

1. Our over-arching objective is to create the highest possible

2. In a globalised world, we need to be competitive to meet

Internal Market We support a strong European

For this reason we welcomed the

changes to the way the same

National Competition Authorities

More than ever, we consider

Protectionism, Mergers the best economic performances,

textile designing has flourished

driven by competition, produce

liners are often built in Finland or The challenge is how to

National champions created

The most recent waves of

Liberalisation, State Aid that this is due to the lack of

Some who challenge the

some cases liberalization has led

National interest in preserving Recent discussions have also

Summary and practices can restrict trade in

Complex inter-relationships exist

We highlight the importance of

defining the laws of the market. Moreover, the real independence of

We believe the EU has already the

While we are looking for appropriate ways to fight international

There is also renewed discussion on the role of the EU can and

European Security and intervention in Europe, in its

The EU must be in a position to:

ALDE sees ESDP and NATO policy

transnational threats. joint deterrent. The UK is currently

However ALDE is deeply

space to be conducted “for the

benefit and in the interests of all

The EU should concentrate on ALDE welcomes the gradual

Parliamentary scrutiny promoting peace and security

a Defence Identity and pursue

A solution is needed only be maintained if the Union

As regards the other countries in

Artificial timetables should be consideration of absorption

The message to potential

because the European Union has

In assessing potential members of

through structured co-operation, true partnership must consist of

One possibility could be to

The European Union must make 1. A ‘multi-speed’ approach

Increased flexibility will be needed

role of the European Parliament

2. A new form of differentiation As fewer funds are now

The financial perspectives agreed

A persistent and serious effort must

and security and opportunities in

Managing substantial discussion of what

While the EU foresees opening its

borders to third-country workers,

On the condition that clear The damaging effects of the “brain

migration. The setting up of an short term Green card or multiple