The ministers of the European Union have agreed on the guidelines of a common immigration pact that curbs illegal migration and promotes the migration of skilled workers, officials said Thursday.
The deal restricts member states from issuing mass amnesties for illegal migrants and calls for the introduction of a an EU "blue card" scheme for attracting workers in demand, such as engineers and nurses, to migrate. However, the pact has to be approved by EU leaders next month before it comes into force.
The proposed "blue card" would allow professionals to live and work anywhere in the 27-nation bloc and is aimed at attracting skilled workers. The "blue card" would be modeled on the existing green card system in the U.S., the officials added.
The restriction on the granting of mass amnesties for illegal migrants by the EU-member states is aimed at discouraging the increasing number of illegal migrants crossing over to Europe from Africa.
The deal warned that the EU does not have enough resources to accommodate all the migrants hoping to find a better life in Europe. With the pact, EU ministers agreed to cooperate better with each other and with migrants' countries of origin to fight illegal immigration.
Every year, thousands of illegal African migrants attempt to reach Europe for a better life by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in flimsy boats and dinghies.
Many of them die at sea while attempting the dangerous crossing and thousands are resuced each year. While some of the survivors are granted amnesty, most are either turned back or deported back to their home countries.
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