OSCE Prague economic forum calls for closer co-operation with partners on migration issues

PRAGUE, 27 May 2005 - Participants in the OSCE's 13th Economic Forum on Friday urged the Organization to develop stronger co-operation with partner organizations in addressing issues related to demographic trends, migration and the integration of people belonging to national minorities.

They also called for stronger co-ordination among OSCE institutions and field missions in order to adequately cope with challenges facing OSCE countries in all three dimensions of security - the political-military, economic and environmental and the human dimension.

The five-day event, which ended today, brought together over 450 representatives of OSCE participating States, international organizations and NGOs, as well as academics and business people.

"Our ambition is to prepare an action plan on managing migration for adoption at the Ministerial Council in Ljubljana in December," said Ambassador Boris Frlec of Slovenia, which holds the OSCE Chairmanship. "Another priority is to formulate a statement of principles guiding the integration of persons belonging to national minorities."

"Demographic trends, migration and integration should be constantly on the OSCE agenda and an advisory group consisting of academics and experts from partner organizations could be established," added Ambassador Frlec, who chaired the Forum.

Marcin Swiecicki, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, stressed that the OSCE can play an active role in improving the management of migration in the region. "Migration is a growing challenge which Europe is not well prepared to cope with," he said.

"We need to widen managed migration channels. The Forum highlighted a number of positive experiences, yet we should do more to promote and disseminate these practices. Migrants as well as potential migrants need the support of international organizations. Together with our partners we will continue our activities in the field and step up our efforts to alleviate poverty and address the environmental challenges causing migration".

The Forum discussed issues such as improving the collection and exchange of data on migration, providing information and services for migrants, migrants' rights, addressing environmentally induced migration, management of labour migration, as well as economic and social aspects of integration. Side events focused on Roma and Sinti issues, combating human trafficking and co-operation with the OSCE's Mediterranean partners.

Transportation in the OSCE area was proposed as the theme for next year's activities in the economic and environmental dimension.