Integration of third-country migrants - Background paper

This background paper, prepared for the European Parliament’s public hearing on ‘The Integration of economic migrant workers’ looks at the integration of migrants from countries outside the European Union as a two-way process. There is a need to balance the rights and obligations of both migrants and the receiving society. The receiving society should promote equal opportunities and non-discrimination for migrants in all key life domains, such as employment, education and housing. In return, incoming migrants should respect the fundamental values of the European Union and acquire a basic knowledge of the host society’s language, history and institutions.