European Union/immigration
Paris, November 5, 2014
(…)
The government’s policy aims firstly to resolve a human problem – that of men, women and children driven down the route of exodus by the persecution they suffer in their country.
We want these people, who are covered by the right of asylum, to be offered asylum in France, and this is why I’ve decided to increase considerably the resources of the Office français de l’immigration et de l’intégration [French immigration and integration office] (OFII) and the Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides [French office for the protection of refugees and stateless persons] (OFPRA). Asylum would allow these individuals to escape the clutches of the people-smugglers who engage in genuine trafficking in human beings under conditions we’re familiar with.
Secondly, we want to create the conditions for these people to be provided with medical and food support. This is why we’ve given our agreement to the opening of a day centre for these migrants.
Thirdly, we would like to dismantle the illegal immigration networks in Calais. With this aim in mind we’re adding a further 100 police officers. This backup will make our policy on this even more effective – the number of networks dismantled has gone up 30% over the past year.
Finally, we’re taking action at European level and bilaterally with the UK. With the British, we’ve reached an agreement which, in the framework of the Le Touquet treaty, will allow them to provide €15 million over three years for making the port secure.
At European level, the European Union member states have agreed to replace the Mare Nostrum operation with a European Union external border control operation and together combat the illegal immigration networks./.