WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2305/98 by Luigi FLORIO to the Commission. Act of legitimation by the Italian Government in respect of illegal immigrants
C 118/56 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 29. 4. 1999 Approximation of customs legislation to standards required by the World trade organisation (WTO) agreement comprises an important element in the process of Russiaís accession to the WTO. The Commission is cooperating with the Russian administration to ensure the earliest possible alignment to WTO norms. While there remains much work in preparation of secondary legislation in the customs field, many of the difficulties in the development of transport and travel in Russia, which relate to customs issues, are more linked to the effective application of existing legislation, and in particular the application of risk analysis techniques, rather than blanket controls. Several activities are under way or scheduled, ranging from work at specific border crossings, to support to the training of staff, which has increased spectacularly from some 2 000 for the whole of the Soviet Union in the late 1980ís to approximately 55 000 for the Russian Federation today. The Commission will maintain its support to the customs services in Russia, with a primary objective to facilitate trade, which of course includes tourism. It recognises, however, that, since the Russian customs committee is a major contributor to the national revenue (over 30 %) the Russian government is reluctant to make changes without considering their impact carefully. (1999/C 118/067) WRITTEN QUESTION P-2305/98 by Luigi Florio (PPE) to the Commission (13 July 1998) Subject: Act of legitimation by the Italian Government in respect of illegal immigrants The Italian Government has announced its intention to regularize the situation of approximately 200 000 non-Community nationals who have entered Italy illegally. This measure, which constitutes, in effect, an act of legitimation, has not been incorporated into the new law on immigration, which was adopted last March, but is being proposed by means of a simple administrative act. Does the Commission consider this decision by the Italian Government to be compatible with EU immigration law? Is the Commission considering adopting formal measures to prevent the succession of legitimating acts in respect of illegal immigrants in Italy from creating security and public-order problems in other EU countries as well? Answer given by Mrs Gradin on behalf of the Commission (14 September 1998) According to Title VI of the Treaty on European Union, the fight against unauthorised immigration, residence and work by third country nationals is considered a matter of common interest by the Member States. This does not prevent Member States from adopting measures at national level, for example regarding regularisation of illegal immigrants. The Council has adopted some recommendations relating to combating illegal immigration and to the expulsion of third country nationals. None of the adopted texts however address the issue of regularisation of illegal immigrants by Member States. The Commission is currently not planning to take initiatives in this field