France unveils national identity plans

Newcomers to France will be made to sign a declaration of values as part of a new campaign to define national identity, France's Prime Minister says.

Francois Fillon announced the initiative after three months of public debates around the country.

Other measures include the flying of the French flag and the singing of the national anthem - La Marseilleise - at schools, to promote patriotism.

Critics say the debate simply provoked anti-Muslim sentiment and racism.

Mr Fillon said a new commission of experts - including MPs and historians - would be established to introduce rules aimed at cultivating pride in being French and promoting the values of the Republic.

"The emphasis will be put on the respect for the values of the republic… notably the principle of equality between men and women… and the level of knowledge of the French language," said Mr Fillon.

Shunned by president

Under the scheme, newly arrived immigrants will have to undertake classes in French and gender equality, while new citizens will pledge to adhere to a list of French values at a solemn ceremony.

Other proposals include keeping a copy of France's 1789 declaration of rights in every classroom and introducing a young citizens' book in which students can record progress in their instruction in civic duties.

The full-face covering has inflamed passions in France.

Opposition lawmakers said the whole debate merely acted as a distraction from France's fundamental problems, such as high unemployment, and was being used as a campaign ploy ahead of March's regional elections.

Polls showed many French people found the discussions were not constructive and President Nicolas Sarkozy, originally a keen supporter of the initiative, quickly began to distance himself from the debate, says the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby in Paris.

The promised grand presentation of the findings was downgraded to a low-key event, she says.

Many of the proposals were put forward by French Immigration Minister Eric Besson.

Monday's announcement came a week after Mr Besson refused to grant citizenship to a foreign national on the grounds that he forced his wife to wear the full Islamic veil.

Late last month a French parliamentary committee recommended a ban on women wearing Islamic face veils in hospitals, schools, government offices and on public transport.

It also recommended that anyone showing visible signs of "radical religious practice" should be refused residence cards and citizenship.

За матеріалами BBC

Germany to draw up 'values contract' for new immigrants

Dr Boehmer said newcomers should agree to uphold German values

Germany is drawing up a new contract to bind new immigrants to the country's values, officials say.

Newcomers should learn German and uphold values such as freedom of speech and sexual equality, said Commissioner for Immigration Maria Boehmer.

In return, immigrants could expect "help and support", Dr Boehmer said.

"Anyone who wants to live here for a long time and who wants to work has to say 'Yes' to our country," she told the Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspaper.

"We will draw up contracts with new immigrants," said Dr Boehmer.

"In those contracts will be set out what they can expect in terms of support and help. But they will also set out what we can expect from immigrants.

"Everyone who wants to live and work here long term must say 'Yes' to our country. And for that we need a commonly accepted set of values.

"These include a good knowledge of the German language, but also a readiness to take part in society."

'Demographic problems'

Dr Boehmer said the number of highly qualified immigrants coming to Germany was too small.

It's not a bad idea for immigrants to gain knowledge of the German language, but German people also have to accept that their country has turned into a multi-racial society

The country must become more attractive to give it "the expertise that will enable us to ensure our leading economic role in world markets", she said.

"Our demographic problems won't be solved through immigration... But, we must also make sure we harness the potential of immigrants already living here.

"For that, we need good language teaching, schooling and a better recognition of qualifications gained abroad," added Dr Boehmer.

Germany, which has around 15 million immigrants out of a population of around 82 million, last year introduced a test for would-be citizens on key facts about the country.

За матеріалами BBC