European Union Migration Mission Was In Armenia 10-12 December

2008-12-13 22:47:00

ArmInfo. 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 ission is the first to take place
in this region, Diaspora Ministry reported.

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, Portugal, 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 the Diaspora, of the Republic of Armenia,.

The dialogue produced a fruitful and comprehensive exchange of
information, views and experiences, including on the following topics:
the need for a comprehensive approach to migration, 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,the recent European Pact on Immigration and Asylum and the
latest developments as regards the EU Global Approach on Migration,
visa facilitation, 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, the EU "blue card" directive and new EU
legislation on legal migration, readmission and return issues including
assistance for the reintegration of returnees while fully respecting
their human rights, border management, security of travel and identity
documents including introduction of biometric identification documents
and development of databases, effective fight against trafficking in
human beings and the implementation of the National Action Plan to this
end, 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, issues related to asylum seekers, refugees
and internally displaced persons; and their integration, Armenia-EU
migration cooperation: both sides emphasize the importance of efficient
and complete implementation of migration related regulations including
through improved coordination, 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, 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
mission at the next meeting of the Joint Cooperation Council.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress