In the field of asylum of immigration, ELDR advocates the adoption of qualified majority voting and co–decision by the member states in order to bring about common asylum and immigration policies, as was recommended by the Tampere Council conclusions and the action programme adopted in The Hague. Common policies in this field should comprise the establishment of a European “Green Card”, the strengthening of cooperation agreements (including readmission agreements) with the main emigration countries and more effective cooperation with member states, and third countries, confronted with huge influxes of refugees.  

The European Liberal democrats believe that terrorism should be fought at its roots so as to prevent and in the worse case scenario, limit its potential impact. This includes reducing and removing the imbalances between rich and poor regions, the increasing hostility towards Islam, the political exploitation of religious feelings, the renewed violence in the Middle East and the many so called “frozen conflicts”, all of which provoke frustration, alienation, suffering, pain, anger and despair and may thus provide breeding grounds for terrorism. If the EU wants to live up to its ambition to contribute to world peace, all of these imbalances and conflicts must be addressed. In particular, the EU should see its role as cooperating on the basis of mutual respect, thus strengthening its capacity to exert its influence, to promote values and to safeguard its interests. Recognising the European and international threat of terrorist networks, ELDR notes the steps taken in implementing the measures included in the Tampere and Hague Programmes and calls on the member states to ratify all treaties in relation to terrorism.