Sommaire: Euro-Africa Conference on Migration and Development: the EU and West, Central and North African countries expected to agree concrete cooperation (Brussels: 7 July 2006)
On 10 and 11 July, EU Member States and countries from West, Central and North Africa will meet in Rabat to discuss concrete ways to ensure migration flows are effectively managed and that migration positively contributes to the development process of countries of origin, transit and destination. The Conference should be seen in the context of the comprehensive approach the European Union is developing that aims at better managing migration by working in partnership with third countries and international organisations and bringing together the various policy areas that are relevant to migration policy, including good governance, human rights and development policies.
Vice-President Frattini, responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, said: "This Conference marks the start of a real engagement of all partners that have and indeed should have an interest in addressing the dramatic situation which has arisen flowing from uncontrolled migration movements between the African and European continent. It is my sincere conviction that in the framework of such partnership between Europe and Africa we will succeed in agreeing on concrete measures in areas
such as migration and development, legal migration, illegal migration, police and judicial cooperation and assistance to victims of trafficking in human beings. This will be in the interest of all parties involved, including first and foremost migrants themselves".
The Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighborhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said: "This Conference is the first to tackle migration with a comprehensive approach, by bringing together countries of origin, transit and destination. Partnership between these countries is essential to achieve positive results in linking migration and development; combatting illegal immigration; protecting the rights of migrants and refugees, as well as improving cooperation over legal
migration that can be in the interests of all sides.The European Neighbourhood Policy provides a flexible framework in North Africa, to respond to the specific needs of our individual partners"
Commissioner Louis Michel, responsible for development policy and humanitarian aid emphasized that 'the only long term and sustainable response to migration pressure is not putting more barriers in place, sending people back or selective migration policies. The true response is investing massively in development. And this Action Plan recognizes the linkage between migration and development and proposes concrete actions to make this work."
Background
Following events in Ceuta and Melilla in September 2005, Heads of State and Government met at Hampton Court, discussed the challenges of migration and concluded that there is an urgent need for more action, both among Member States and in partnership with countries of origin and transit, in particular North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
In response the Commission issued a Communication, Priority actions for responding to the challenges of migration on 30 November 2005. This document set out a comprehensive approach to migration with a series of immediate, practical actions to be taken forward in partnership with source and transit countries.
Building on the Commission's Communication, the European Council adopted the Global Approach to Migration: Priority actions focusing on Africa and the Mediterranean in its Conclusions of 16 December 2005. The Conclusions constitute a list of actions that should be implemented quickly in 2006. This ambitious agenda envisages priority actions in three areas: strengthening cooperation and action between Member States; working with key countries of origin in Africa; and working with neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean region.
The Rabat Ministerial Conference is one of these priority actions. It will bring together EU Member States with a number of African countries of origin and transit, in the aim of focusing on the West and Central African migration route and finding joint responses to migration. It is intended to be both political and operational at the same time, and will take a comprehensive approach by focusing on a range of issues including migration and development, legal migration, and combating illegal migration and trafficking in human beings.
The Conference has been organised jointly by Morocco, Spain and France. The Commission has been closely involved, strongly supporting the organisation of the Conference and providing a financial contribution.
Participating countries and organisations:
Africa
Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea Equatorial, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Democratic republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Chad, Togo, Tunisia
Europe
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latria, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, European Commission
Observers (countries)
Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine
Observers (regional organisations and institutions)
(CEN-SAD = Communauté des Etats Sahélo-Sahariens)
(CEDEAO = La Communauté Economique des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest)
(CEMAC = Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale(
The Action Plan that is to be adopted in Rabat consists of several headings
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