103. Welcomes the Commission's undertaking to present a status report every two years in conjunction with the European Demographic Forum; hopes that that report will also assess the impact of policies put in place by the Member States in the areas concerned; endorses the Commission's intention to include every two years in its report a chapter on infertility, as well as a chapter on the European Union's preparations for demographic change; encourages the Commission to set up a system of indicators for monitoring and analysis of demographic developments in the different Member States and in the European Union;

6. Is surprised that the Green Paper makes only passing reference to the healthcare aspects of demographic change; emphasises that, with an ageing population, the demand for health and long-term care services increases qualitatively and quantitatively; is convinced that investment in measures for the lifelong prevention of illness is important for coming to terms with the human and financial aspects of demographic change; states that the longer people are in a position to enjoy healthy lives, the longer they can remain active and w ...[+++]ork;

[6] "The long-term objective of the Community should be to continue to address the root causes of migration, in partnership with third countries, in due recognition of the effect of long-term development programmes on migratory flows, in particular in poverty eradication, pro-poor economic growth, job creation, promotion of good governance, support for human rights, supporting population policy measures, institution and capacity building and conflict prevention.

The Integrated Guidelines invite Member States to take action for achieving better reconciliation of family and working life. A better family and work balance can also help to tackle the problems associated with demographic ageing, and in particular the challenge of a low birth rate. This includes the provision of childcare facilities, as well as care for other dependants. Particular attention will be paid to developing innovative, family-friendly forms of working arrangements. Reconciliation of work and private life is key in promoting gender equality for young women and men.

Age discrimination towards older people in employment is becoming increasingly relevant due to the demographic changes in Europe which are at the root of most of the recent age-related legislation such as the abolition of or increase in mandatory retirement ages, disincentives for early retirement and other measures to keep older workers in the labour market.

The Commission believes that, while increased legal immigration in itself cannot be considered in the long term as an effective way to offset demographic changes, since migrants once settled tend to adopt the fertility patterns of the host country, it could, in the short term, be an important element in population growth which could accompany other responses to demographic change, such as more friendly family policies.