OSCE conference focuses on effective migration management

VIENNA, 19 January 2009 - Policymakers and experts will discuss managing migration and its linkages with economic, social and environmental policies at the First Part of the 17th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum which started in Vienna today.

The two-day conference brings together more than 200 participants, representing governments, international organizations, civil society and the business community. Participants will discuss the benefits of migration for countries of origin and destination, intra- and inter-regional co-operation and managing legal migration channels, as well as combatting criminal activities related to illegal migration.

"Effective migration management encourages legal migration that brings benefits to the economic and social development of both sending and receiving countries," said Theodoros Skylakakis, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Co-operation in the Greek Foreign Ministry.

"This is very important for the OSCE because transit and destination countries on future and existing migration routes - from east to west and from south to north - mostly belong to the OSCE."

Managing migration in an effective way, in order to maximize its benefits and minimize its disadvantages, while enhancing co-operation and contributing to stability and security in the OSCE area, is one of the priorities of the 2009 OSCE Greek Chairmanship.

Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, the OSCE Secretary General, said the global financial crisis was likely to negatively affect the lives of millions of migrants in the OSCE area, which in turn has implications for stability and security.

"Against the background of poverty and economic uncertainty, the potential for conflict increases. This is only one argument why, now more than ever, we need to devote our attention to the issue of international migration," he said.

Goran Svilanovic, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, added that the key prerequisite to mitigate these security implications is "good migration management, including good governance and bilateral and regional co-operation in the field".

The Second Part of the 17th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum will be held from 18 to 20 May in Athens.