JOINT STATEMENT BY ARMENIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE EU MIGRATION MISSION TO ARMENIA

armradio.am
12.12.2008 18:47

An EU mission visited Yerevan on 10-12 December 2008 with the purpose
of strengthening the dialogue on migration issues between Armenia
and the EU.

The meeting took place in the framework of the European Neighbourhood
Policy, as well as of the EU Global Approach to Migration, which
was extended in 2007 to the Eastern region neighbouring the EU. This
migration mission is the first to take place in this region.

The EU mission met representatives from various Ministries and Agencies
of the Republic of Armenia, international organizations and NGOs
working in the area of migration and asylum. The dialogue reflected
a comprehensive and balanced approach to migration and asylum , and
thus covered a large number of issues such as promotion of migration
management and legal migration opportunities; integration policies;
asylum and protection matters; tackling of illegal immigration and
enhanced border control; and broader migration and development matters
involving, inter alia, remittances, diasporas and the brain-drain.

The EU side was led jointly by Mr. Jean-Christophe Peaucelle,
representative from the EU French Presidency, and Mr. Francisco
Bataller M., representing the European Commission. The EU delegation
included other officials from France and the Commission, as well as
from the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland,=2 0Portugal, Romania and
Sweden. The Armenian side was led by Mr. David Hakobyan, Deputy Head
of the Migration Agency of the Ministry of Territorial Administration,
and included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Health and the Police of
the Republic of Armenia.

The mission was received by His Excellency Mr. Edward Nalbandian,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Her Excellency Mrs. Hranush Hakobyan,
Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia,.

The dialogue produced a fruitful and comprehensive exchange of
information, views and experiences, including on the following
topics: â~@¢ the need for a comprehensive approach to migration
â~@¢ legislation and policies in the areas of migration and asylum,
including migration management systems and their implementation in
accordance with international standards of protection and respect
for refugee rights â~@¢ the recent European Pact on Immigration and
Asylum and the latest developments as regards the EU Global Approach on
Migration â~@¢ visa facilitation â~@¢ legal migration: special emphasis
was given by both sides to the ways and means of its regulation taking
into account the needs of labour markets â~@¢ the EU "blue card"
directive and new EU legislation on legal migration â~@¢ readmission
and return issues including assistance for the reintegration of
returnees while fully respecting their human rights â~@¢20border
management, security of travel and identity documents including
introduction of biometric identification documents and development of
databases â~@¢ effective fight against trafficking in human beings
and the implementation of the National Action Plan to this end â~@¢
contribution of migration and migrants (Diaspora) to the development
of the countries of origin, including through remittances: ways and
means for channelling the remittances towards economic development
of the country â~@¢ issues related to asylum seekers, refugees and
internally displaced persons; and their integration â~@¢ Armenia-EU
migration cooperation: both sides emphasize the importance of efficient
and complete implementation of migration related regulations including
through improved coordination â~@¢ regional cooperation: both parties
underline the importance of the regional dimension of migration. In
this respect they are looking forward to the Prague Conference in
April 2009 under the Czech Presidency which will also address the
issue of regional cooperation on migration in the Black Sea Region
â~@¢ the Armenian delegation expressed its interest in the concept
of Mobility Partnership.

Both sides agreed on the importance and usefulness of a more systematic
dialogue on migration issues and agreed on organizing a follow-up
meeting by the local representative of the EU Presidency and the
Commission Delegation.

There will be a report on the follow-up to this =0 Amission at the
next meeting of the Joint Cooperation Council.

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