Welcomed or Not?

Abstract

Immigration as part of European history, has impacted widely on European societies and it will continue to do so. Immigrant employment patterns and entrepreneurship activities have developed rather quickly. Growing diaspora in EU member states has transformed international trade. Freedom of movement has helped Europe diversify itself culturally. Welfare systems have been extended to immigrant groups. The EU has evolved as a community of law supporting integration, through the development of new legislation dealing with discrimination, social exclusion, racism and xenophobia.It is important that efforts to address the realities of international mobility match the needs and priorities of all stakeholders. This requires a better use of existing tools (e.g. visa rules, mobility partnerships), but also implies reinforcing member state participation and implementation of EU policies. The financial crisis has opened a critical juncture in European cooperation and the forthcoming EP elections provide the necessary forum for a discussion on these critical issues – a window of opportunity that may not be available in ‘ordinary times’. This issue of the BEPA Monthly Brief hopes to give the impetus for this discussion on immigration, the opportunities it offers the EU, and the challenges ahead.