Motion for a resolution | Doc. 13974 | 03 February 2016

Migration as an opportunity for European development

Signatories: Mr Andrea RIGONI, Italy, ALDE ; Mr Utku ÇAKIRÖZER, Turkey, SOC ; Ms Sahiba GAFAROVA, Azerbaijan, EC ; Ms Anette HÜBINGER, Germany, EPP/CD ; Mr Rafael HUSEYNOV, Azerbaijan, ALDE ; Ms Kristin Ørmen JOHNSEN, Norway, EPP/CD ; Ms Ksenija KORENJAK KRAMAR, Slovenia, ALDE ; Ms Milica MARKOVIĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, SOC ; Mr Killion MUNYAMA, Poland, EPP/CD ; Mr Rasmus NORDQVIST, Denmark, UEL ; Ms Judith PALLARÉS, Andorra, ALDE ; Mr René ROUQUET, France, SOC ; Mr Serhiy SOBOLEV, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Ms Tineke STRIK, Netherlands, SOC ; Mr Ionuț-Marian STROE, Romania, EPP/CD ; Ms Petra De SUTTER, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Burhanettin UYSAL, Turkey, EC ; Mr Egidijus VAREIKIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD ; Mr Sergiy VLASENKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Leonid YEMETS, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Emanuelis ZINGERIS, Lithuania, EPP/CD

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Europeans are facing a major demographic challenge: the population is aging and the death rate in the majority of European countries exceeds the fertility rate, which results in the diminishing of the working population. The only solution to overcome this situation is to welcome the foreign labour force.

As reported by the OECD, migrants have been accounting for 70% of the increase in the work force in Europe over the past ten years. They contribute more in taxes and social contributions than they receive in benefits from States.

Migration is also beneficial for the European economy, as it brings different skills and competition in labour markets and increase productivity, on condition that migrants have access to the labour market. It can also combat the shortage of skilled personnel in various sectors of the economy.

The Parliamentary Assembly encourages its member States to maximise the positive effects of migration by developing and implementing effective labour migration and recruitment policies.

Migration has also a positive impact on European cultural development. Migrants, representing different cultures and traditions, bring diversity and contribute to cultural exchanges. In the long-term perspective, migration has a positive impact on society making it more tolerant and multicultural.

The Assembly believes that it is in the interests of all European countries to focus their policies on the promotion of the benefits of migration for the European economy and its cultural diversity.