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In its role as President from 1 July through 31 December 2004, the Netherlands will set the EU’s agenda. Among the issues it intends to deal with, the Presidency has prioritised co-operation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). The European Council of 5 November 2004 will be used to establish guidelines for JHA policy in upcoming years. With regard to issues of asylum and migration, the Netherlands has placed importance on issues of return, integration, and border security.
Immigration. New immigration legislation has not been established but there is a need for a better institutional framework dealing with these issues. Better partnerships with third countries and consultation with NGOs are also needed. Return. The return of rejected asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to their countries of origin will be more effective at European level. Thus, the Netherlands intends to implement the guidelines set out by the Irish Presidency using the first integrated Community return programme, for which EURO 15 million will be available in 2005. It will also discuss negotiation mandates for Community readmission agreements, joint return operations, and the Directive on minimum standards for return procedures. Integration. A comprehensive integration policy is needed for European asylum and migration policy to work. During its Presidency the Netherlands intends to achieve agreement on the goal and basic principles of integration policy. Relations with Third World Countries. Priority is placed on strengthening co-operation with third countries in relation to the external component of return policy. The EC will issue a communication on strengthening Europe’s readmission policy. Greater protection for refugees in the region will be discussed at European level. Borders and Visas. The introduction of the Visa Information System is scheduled for mid-2007 at the earliest. This system will be a useful and important tool in the fight against illegal immigration as well as returning aliens who are illegally residing in EU countries. The agency for the management of external borders should be operational by 1 January 2005. In this context, a revision of the common manual on external border controls is needed. | 
