On the occasion of 'International Migrants Day' on December 18, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos spoke about the significant role of legal migration in the European Union and the contribution of legal migrants to the economic, cultural and social development of Europe.

Avramopoulos referred to the big challenges of xenophobia and populism threatening the core values of our societies and stressed the need for immigration to become an integral part of a more comprehensive EU-wide approach for addressing labour market and socio-economic challenges in Europe. 

He referred to the fact that many member-states are facing labour and skills shortages in key sectors, and therefore the increasing need for need legal ways for non EU-citizens to come to Europe for work or study. "Immigration must become an integral part of a more comprehensive EU-wide approach for addressing labour market and socio-economic challenges in Europe," he added.

More information: European Commission Press Release (12. 18.2014)