This conference, organised by the Greens in the European Parliament, looked at the European Neighbourhood and asked what kind of mobility was being encouraged for citizens of those countries in and out of the EU. It took place on the first day of the French Presidency, which has the neighbourhood as a central focus of its term leading Europe.
MEPs and academics discussed the politically sensitive issues of migration, security and human rights with each other and a member of the European Commission, although the Council and Presidency representatives who were invited did not attend the conference. The group tackled the issue with relation to the eastern neighbourhood first, before turning to the Mediterranean countries, which are in the spotlight because of the French push for the Union for the Mediterranean.
The free movement of people is one of the fundamental freedoms of the EU, and the EC representative reassured the group that it would continue to be important, not just for EU citizens, but for citizens of the neighbourhood as well. Security is an area of concern when discussing migration issues, but all speakers agreed that these should not be seen as trade offs and need to be improved together.
A fuller report of the event is available from Rebecca Steel: trialog@concordeurope.org
Information and contacts: http://www.greens-efa.org/cms/default/dok/239/239777.which_mobility_between_neighbours@en.htm
Information provided by Rebecca Steel, TRIALOG
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