In the light of the Europe 2020 Strategy, this year's edition of the EMN Annual Conference concentrated on labour migration. The strategy envisages that migration can contribute to boost growth and innovation in the EU, responding to labour shortages in some sectors of the economy and the high unemployment rate in the EU.

Therefore, Member States have to deliberate on their migration policies, reflecting on their flexibilty an ability to adapt to changing situations, upholding clear, demand-driven and based on the net benefit to the receiving countries and migrants.

During the Conference, leading researchers and policymakers gathered to share information on achievements reached in the field of migration, discuss the sitation in the EU and in general reflect on the role of migration in the EU agenda for growth.

Key conclusions, emerging from the conference are:

• Migration is a permanent feature of the EU's economy and its society;
• A long-term vision on migration policy must be elaborated;
• Enabling integration and labour market participation of all migrants, including those already present in the EU or arriving for reasons other than work, is the cornerstone of a succesful migration policy;
• Because the impact of migration policies is felt only some years down the road, political leadership and vision to enact is required.

More information on the EMN Annual Conference can be found on the website of the Lithuanian Presidency.
Presentations, summaries and conclusions are expected to be published soon.