European civil society to discuss integration of immigrants

Representatives of civil society organisations from the 27 EU states are meeting in Brussels to discuss future priorities for the integration of immigrants in the European Union.

They will meet the European institutions to express their views on common policies and funding to promote integration of third-country nationals in member states.

This is the second meeting of the European Integration Forum, convened twice a year by the Commission together with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security, said: "Successful integration of immigrants is a key component of the new five-year programme on justice, freedom and security that we are about to agree.

“The expert voice of civil society organisations who actively promote integration of third-country nationals will inspire actions taken by the Commission in the next years,” he said.

The President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Mario Sepi, added:

"Integration is a reality which individuals live in their daily life: civil society organisations which work for the integration of immigrants have a vital role to play. This is even more important in a period of deep economic and social crisis where immigrants are often the first victims.”