Introductory Speech
Chairman, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,
The Charter of the Fundamental Rights reminds us that the “Union is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality and solidarity; it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
It places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of the Union and by creating an area of freedom, security and justice”.
More than anything else, this Charter describes what Europe is all about, and, it defines the mission that we have in front of us in Migration and Home Affairs.
The reality that we face in this field is challenging and to a large extent our shared responsibility will test the pace of European integration and the legitimacy of the European promise. What is the reality today?
An exploding geopolitical environment.
A new terrorist threat that has declared its intention to hurt our societies.
A European economy struggling to recover from the crisis.
An ageing continent in a demographically young world.
Ghettos inside our cities that increasingly seek refuge to extremist causes.
Sophisticated forms of crime that know no borders.
And a continuous humanitarian disaster in our borders, that is in painful contrast to our shared moral, cultural and political heritage.
And we face as well the growing dissatisfaction of European citizens. Let me be clear from the beginning:
The answer to these challenges is definitely not “Fortress Europe”.
History has proven that “fortresses” built for the protection from external threats, became at the end, fortresses that enslaved those who intended to protect and led to isolationism. This direction is not a part of our mandate.
Europe can only prosper so long as it energetically facilitates the mobility of ideas, goods, and people. Openness and Security are the pillars of the European edifice.
The mission of this Commission in relation to Migration and Home Affairs is clear:
We have to turn security and facilitated mobility into the stepping stones for a Europe that grows without fear. To this end,
We have to protect the identity of Europe as the area in our world that guarantees the fundamental rights.
We have to implement an integrated and targeted policy so as to attract the talent and the workforce that each Member State needs.
We have to make sure that Europe will support smooth integration of migrants in our societies.
Moreover, We have to guarantee that crime and terrorism stay out of European borders and are combatted effectively.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
When it comes to Migration and Home Affairs if we do not move together as a Union, we will not move at all.
If I am confirmed, I will count on you, the LIBE Committee.
I am proud to be designated as the first Commissioner on Migration.
A fact that underlies the commitment of President-Elect Junker and of the new Commission to address the critical challenges of migration.
We are confronted with rising numbers of persons seeking protection within our borders.
As a Union committed to upholding universal human rights, it is Europe’s responsibility to offer protection to refugees fleeing war or persecution, to respect the rights of asylum seekers and, in particular, to respect human beings lives and the right of non-refoulement in all circumstances.
You, the European Parliament, substantially contributed to the establishment of a robust Common European Asylum System.
We now have a comprehensive legal framework and our priority will be to ensure that all Member States apply those principles in a uniform manner.
There are still some additional areas that need to be discussed, most notably the possibility to work towards a uniform status, valid throughout the Union.
Based on the results of the health check of the “Dublin system”, I will analyse possible further steps.
We hear daily, news about the arrival of migrants at our shores and the news about desperate people embarking on often fatal journeys in the Mediterranean.
We have to improve our capacity to handle asylum crises while at the same time support those who are facing high temporary pressure on their asylum systems.
More solidarity is needed and this is possible only if Member States trust each other and assume also their responsibilities.
I am however also aware that the majority of refugees and people needing international protection are hosted outside the EU by developing countries facing challenges of their own.
International solidarity must not stop at EU borders.
In my view, the EU should do more to support countries in the regions from which many refugees originate, or through which they pass.
I will work closely together with my colleague, Vice-President Mogherini and the Commissioners responsible for external matters to create a more joined up policy for refugees and migration.
At the same time, I am fully committed to encouraging Member States to host more refugees from third countries.
Resettlement of refugees is one of the most tangible acts of generosity and solidarity vis à vis third countries hosting large refugee populations.
The EU has to protect those in need but can at the same time only be credible if it tackles irregular migration in full respect of fundamental rights.
This includes that rejected applicants are treated with efficient and rapid returns.
Priority should go to assisted voluntary return and in addition sustainable reintegration in the countries from where they come should be strengthened.
Here we will also need to reinforce our cooperation with countries of origin, transit countries, as well as international and non-governmental organisations.
A comprehensive approach includes also of course the possibility to come legally to the EU.
We have to maximise the benefits of international mobility, migration and integration.
Europe is part of a globalized and interconnected world where international mobility is expected to increase.
We need to assess the needs of the European labour market, identifying, skills shortages in different economic sectors.
The international competition for high-level skills, already is intense, but
Europe needs also people working in other sectors.
I would like to engage in a regular dialogue with all the relevant players: Member States, businesses and trade unions.
I believe that a European Platform coordinating that dialogue would be very useful.
The first years of implementation of the “Blue Card directive” have shown several shortcomings.
That is why President-elect Juncker highlighted this for early attention in its political guidelines.
One of my priorities will also be to ensure that the negotiations on the Directive on students and researchers are concluded in 2015. And now about Schengen:
“Schengen” is one of the greatest achievements of European integration and we have to maintain the absence of controls at the internal borders.
A precondition for no internal border control, is to have efficient external border control without making Europe a “fortress Europe”.
While Member States are responsible for controlling their section of the external border, the capacity of Frontex should be used to the full, to ensure European solidarity.
But are the tools at our disposal sufficient?
The Commission, the European Parliament and the Council should have a debate on the long term development of Frontex and the need and feasibility of creating a true European Border Guard System.
Migratory pressure at the border and smuggling are steadily increasing and therefore our response capacity should be reinforced to address holistically the problem.
Efficient border management requires us to build on modern technology.
We have to make better use of the opportunities offered by digital technologies for the management of migration and mobility.
The fight against people smuggling remains a priority. We have to bring those who exploit the needs of people in distress, to justice.
And the abominable form of modern slavery that is trafficking in human beings should be combated efficiently as well.
This is also mainly a fight against organised crime inside the EU and worldwide and we need global responses.
Citizens ask us to protect them as they fear that there are threats to their security because of terrorism and violence.
At times of conflict in our neighbourhood and threats posed by “foreign fighters”, we need to better combat terrorism and organised crime.
Crime travels across Europe and undermines our societies and the economy. We need an updated framework for European action, with a focus on the respect for fundamental rights, and better synergies with external action.
Action against cybercrime will make it easier for citizens and businesses to make full use of the internet.
Likewise, actions against other forms of organised crime such as drugs trafficking, or against corruption, will allow business and industry, to benefit more from the internal market and avoid losses to public budgets.
Honourable Members,
Data retention is a security instrument that has been much discussed.
Now, we have the ruling of the European Court of Justice. We will have to examine the best options for the way forward, fully respecting the principles inherent in the ruling.
Namely, the principle of proportionality and the right to personal data protection and the other fundamental rights we hold dear.
Recent events in Europe and beyond have shown that we are confronted with a renewed terrorism threat.
The role of the European Union is to assist Member States in countering that threat and particular the serious threat posed by foreign fighters.
We have to work in particular on prevention by combatting radicalisation, addressing its causes and disrupting terrorist financing.
Police cooperation and the exchange of information is the backbone of European action in the fight against crime.
In this area, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Mesdames et Messieurs les Membres du Parlement Européen,
– J’ai l’intention de travailler étroitement avec vous afin d’arriver à des résultats concrets et tangibles.
– Pour que les politiques de l’Union en matière de migration et des affaires intérieures soient couronnées de succès, nous devons nous concentrer sur les domaines ou l’action de l’Union peut faire la différence et d’assurer que notre action soit strictement conforme au respect des droits fondamentaux.
Si je suis confirmé, j’aiderais le Président-élu à mettre en œuvre les lignes directrices dans les domaines qui sont directement lies à mon mandat.
Dans ce but, je serai en liaison directe avec mon collègue le Vice- Président Timmermans et je travaillerai en harmonie avec les autres membres de la Commission.
Confirmé Commissaire, je m’engage de servir, avant tout, ce qui nous unie.
De respecter scrupuleusement les valeurs de l’Union, la Charte des Droits Fondamentaux et les principes d’une politique européenne transparente et démocratique.
D’être utile aux citoyens sans être ‘enfermé’ dans des murailles bureaucratiques.
D’être dévoué à nos valeurs communes et en même temps de faire face aux nouveaux défis avec résolution et persévérance.
D’assurer qu’ensemble nous allons amener au bout, avec succès, le mandat que les citoyens européens nous ont donné.
De faire de l’Europe un espace d’espoir, de progrès et de liberté au profit de tous les citoyens. C’est une obligation politique et morale pour nous tous.