OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to hold conference on migration

COPENHAGEN, 13 September 2001 (OSCE) - From 10 to 11 October 2001 in Penha Longa, Portugal, parliamentary delegations from 45 OSCE participating States will participate in a conference to discuss new approaches to the challenges and benefits of migration in the OSCE area.

The seminar, organized with the co-operation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the invitation of the parliament of Portugal, will be addressed by prominent officials and experts of international standing, including Mr. Antonio Vitorino, EU Commissioner of Justice and Home Affairs. On 10 October the participants will be welcomed by the President of the Assembleia da Republica, Mr. Antonio de Almeida Santos. The Seminar, chaired by the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Mr. Adrian Severin, will be held in conjunction with the Standing Committee meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on 9 October. The Standing Committee will be addressed by the Portuguese Foreign Minister Mr. Jaime Gama, and will discuss the general activities of the Assembly as well as a draft declaration on the international fight against terrorism.

The two-day seminar in Penha Longa will consist of a series of presentations and discussions on various aspects of the topic, including the problems encountered by migrants, migrant rights and the positive and negative aspects of migration. The seminar will provide an opportunity for the discussion and sharing of ideas between members of parliament from different OSCE countries and prominent international experts.

The Parliamentary Conference on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 October is fully open to the press. The Standing Committee meeting will also take place at the Hotel Caesar Park and starts on Tuesday 9 October at 10.00 hours. For information on accreditation etc. please contact Mr. Nuno Paixão, Desk Officer, Inter-parliamentarian Affairs. Tel. +351 213919628, Fax. +351 213917441, e-mail: npaixao@ar.parlamento.pt.

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For further information and specific press arrangements please contact in Copenhagen Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor of the OSCE PA, tel. + 45 33 37 80 36, Fax + 45 33 37 80 30, e-mail: jan@oscepa.dk, or at the Hotel Caesar Park at Penha Longa from 7 October, Tel. (+351) 21 924 9011, Fax (+351) 21 924 9007.