Migration, demographic trends and integration of national minorities to top agenda of OSCE Economic Forum in Prague

VIENNA, 19 May 2005 - Ways to ensure security and development in the OSCE area in light of the changing demographic situation and migration patterns will be the focus of the 13th OSCE Economic Forum in Prague from 23 to 27 May.

This year's event is entitled Demographic Trends, Migration and Integrating Persons belonging to National Minorities: Ensuring Security and Sustainable Development in the OSCE area. It is organized by the Slovenian Chairmanship of the OSCE and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

The Forum will be opened by the OSCE Chairman in Office, the Foreign Minister of Slovenia, Dimitrij Rupel, the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, the Director General of the International Organisation for Migration, Brunson McKinley, the former President of the German Bundestag, Rita Suessmuth and other high level speakers.

The OSCE recognizes that demographic trends and migration patterns may either serve as effective driving forces for economic development, or, on the contrary, may exert pressure on labour markets. The socio-economic needs of persons belonging to national minorities, as well as the security consequences of non-integration deserve particular attention.

The Forum's sessions will focus on improving economic prospects in countries experiencing emigration, on supporting awareness raising and integration in countries of destination, as well as improving the management of migration and reinforcing co-operation in this field. Special attention will also be devoted to environmental issues which play an increasingly important role in decisions related to migration. Issues related to the economic and social integration of persons belonging to national minorities also feature prominently on the Forum's agenda. It is expected that the Forum will put forward useful recommendations for the OSCE and its participating States.

Participants will also review the implementation of commitments in the economic and environmental dimension, focusing on integration, trade and transport and offer proposals for improving the situation in the discussed areas across the OSCE region.

As part of the preparatory process for this year's Forum, three seminars were held in recent months: in Trieste, in November, on the economic and security implications as well as demographic prospects in the OSCE area; in Almaty, in January, on migration from an economic, environmental and security perspective; and in Kyiv, in March, on the economic perspectives of integrating persons belonging to national minorities.

The annual OSCE Economic Forum serves as an important platform for dialogue between decision-makers and representatives from the 55 OSCE participating States, experts from international governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the business community and academics. More information on the OSCE Economic Forum can be accessed at:

www.osce.org/eea

Media representatives are invited to the opening session of the Forum from 15.00 to 18.00 on 23 May and the closing plenary session from 11.30 to 12.30 on 27 May, at the Czernin Palace, Loretanske nam. 5, Prague 1.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel will be available for media interviews on Monday, 23 May at 18.00, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1st floor (Mirror Hall).

A press conference will be organized on Friday, 27 May, at 12.30, to present the conclusions of the Forum. Detailed information will be made available in due time.