French IM Urges EU to be Realistic in its Immigration Policies

World | December 6, 2013, Friday // 17:19|  views

French Interior Minister Manuel Valls. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The French Interior Minister has called on the EU to be realistic in its strategy to curb immigration.

During the week, the European Commission proposed 38 measures targeted at increasing border security, with increased sea and air patrols to safely turn back boats with illegal immigrants headed towards the continent.

The EC also urged for governments to sign agreements with countries from which illegal immigrants regularly head to Europe, in return for easing the requirements on legal immigration.

The French Interior Minister Manuel Valls stated that his country supports the majority of the measures, but they must be implemented in a realistic manner.

He added that October's tragedy off the coast of Lampedusa, where over 300 immigrants died when a boat sank, must serve as a reminder for EU countries when dealing with the immigration issue.

The EU policies on immigration will be a topic of the high level conference on December 19-20.


Tags: Manuel, Valls, European Commission, EU, immigration, Lampedusa, French

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