‘Thought of the week’ from Franco Frattini’s Web Page
22 October 2007: Blue Card
There is no two-speed policy – at least as far as immigration is concerned, we cannot afford one. There is poverty that is true: we have to fight it in the countries that know it by helping to support democracy, good governance and economic development, by discouraging illegal immigration, by severely punishing traffickers and by fighting illegal employment. But there is also the other side of the coin concerning development in Europe that cannot stand still and needs human resources. And more than anything, it needs excellence.
The Blue Card that the Commission is going to adopt today – and that President Barroso and I will present – represents, first of all, an important signal. For too many years we have involuntarily fed the idea that European reunification is all we are looking for. It is not true. The Blue Card means that – while respecting the principle of preference for our European fellow citizens – Europe opens itself to talent and merit in competition with the United States, Canada and Australia. It is a change of rhythm and philosophy that will make our shared identity more responsible, more committed.
[ The article was obtained from Franco Frattini's Web Page ]