New Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Takes Office

Luis Ernesto Derbez left his post as Mexico's Secretary of the Economy and was sworn in Wednesday as Secretary of Foreign Relations. He promised to work toward reaching a migration accord with the United States and creating jobs so that workers won't have to find employment in the US and other nations. He also pledged to fight for human rights around the globe, specifically for Mexicans living abroad.

Former Foreign Relations Secretary Jorge Castaneda left office last week under pressure from lawmakers unhappy with handling of relations with Mexico's traditional ally, Cuba, although he had a good relationship with President Vicente Fox.

Derbez said he didn't plan to make any major changes in Mexico's foreign policy. Since Fox took office, Mexico has increased its international activism and has pushed the United States to allow more Mexican workers to cross the border legally.

***

Dutch Liberal Party Leader Suggests Payment for Integration Courses

Gerrit Zalm, leader of the Liberal Party (VVD) said new immigrants should be paid EUR 3,000 for graduating a compulsory integration course.

Students undergo a 600-hour program consisting of Dutch language and culture lessons. Zalm's proposed reimbursement would refund about half the cost of the classes.

He also suggested that immigrants should be allowed to take private courses, in order to reduce the backlog.

All Dutch immigrants must take integration courses, with the exception of newcomers from EU member countries, America, Indonesia and Japan.

***

EU to Fingerprint All Asylum Seekers

The EU launched a centralized fingerprinting system from Brussels Wednesday, posing a new hurdle to asylum seekers in Europe.

Border controls between most EU countries have been abolished, but all applicants over the age of 14 are now fingerprinted at their point of entry into the union. Anyone crossing a border and found to have applied for asylum in another member country will be returned there.

The fingerprint data will be stored for a maximum of 10 years and will be erased if an asylum seeker gains full citizenship.