December 2002

Immigration Policy

Mr President we all acknowledge that there have been two problems in the achievement of common asylum and immigration policies: lack of speed and lack of balance.

On the speed problem there has been a spurt on asylum policy under the Danish presidency. I too pay tribute to the energy of Mr Haarder. However on the question of balance I still feel very frustrated that legal migration and rights of migrants have been neglected.

Prestige": European Parliament backs Liberal campaign for compulsory ports of refuge"

The European Parliament has today supported a Liberal Group campaign to establish compulsory rules on ports of refuge which would require EU Member States to provide assistance and accommodation for ships in distress as well as providing compensation for ports which suffer damage when providing refuge for a damaged ship carrying a polluting cargo.

Commenting after the vote Baroness Sarah Ludford Liberal Democrat MEP for London said: