Two calls for tenders endowed with a budget of 15 million euros relating to the EU programme “Solidarity in Action” were published in the official gazette of the European Community (GUCE, series C) on 9 July. The programme covers trans-national projects in the field of the repatriation of clandestine immigrants, the employment of repatriated immigrants, information on EU regulations for immigration and the challenges posed by the acceptance of immigrants. In presenting the programme, the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini stressed that “European policy must adopt a global policy for the management of immigration, a challenge that is constantly growing and evolving, putting pressure especially on the southern frontiers. That’s why – added Frattini – the EU is called to increase its own capacity of response by increasing solidarity, by sharing responsibilities and by boosted cooperation between member states, both in the acceptance and repatriation of immigrants”. A new European Fund for Repatriation is expected to become operational in 2008.
