One of the priorities of the French Presidency has been the question of managing migratory flows. While Member States have gradually been adopting converging measures in this area, steps taken so far remain insufficient. On the initiative of the French Presidency, the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum was adopted by the European Council on 15 and 16 October 2008. The Pact invites Member States to "take rigorous action, also in the interest of the immigrants, by way of dissuasive and proportionate penalties against those who exploit illegal immigrants (employers, etc.)". A proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals is currently being negotiated.
