52007DC0247

[pic] | KUMMISSJONI TAL-KOMUNITAJIET EWROPEJ |

Brussel 16.5.2007

KUMM(2007) 247 finali

KOMUNIKAZZJONI MILL-KUMMISSJONI LILL-KUNSILL U LILL-PARLAMENT EWROPEW, IL-KUMITAT EKONOMIKU U SOĊJALI EWROPEW U L-KUMITAT TAR-REĠJUNI

L-applikazzjoni ta’ Strateġija Globali għall-Migrazzjoni għar-Reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk ta’ l-Ewropa li huma Ġirien ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea

WERREJ

1. Introduzzjoni 3

2. Il-Pajjiżi fir-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk ġirien ta’ l-UE 4

2.1. It-Turkija u l-Balkani tal-Punent 5

2.1.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 5

2.1.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 6

2.2. Pajjiżi msieħba fil-Politika Ewropea ta’ Viċinat fl-Ewropa tal-Lvant u fin-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu 7

2.2.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 7

2.2.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 8

2.3. Il-Federazzjoni Russa 10

2.3.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 10

2.3.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 10

3. Reġjuni oħra 11

3.1. Pajjiżi ENP msieħba tal-Lvant tal-Mediterran (is-Sirja, il-Libanu u l-Ġordan) u pajjiżi oħra tal-Lvant Nofsani ( l-Iran u l-Iraq) 11

3.1.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 11

3.1.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 12

3.2. L-Asja Ċentrali 12

3.2.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 12

3.2.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 12

3.3. Il-pajjiżi ta’ oriġini Asjatika 13

3.3.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu 13

3.3.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet 13

4. Koordinament aħjar 14

5. Għeluq 16

Anness I: Akronimi u glossarju 17

Anness II: Eżempji ta' kooperazzjoni ta’ l-UE u l-għajnuna lill-pajjiżi koperti mill-Komunikazzjoni 20

Anness III: Dehra ġenerali tas-sitwazzjoni migratorja u l-fluss minn u fir-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk li huma ġirien ta’ l-UE u l-istatistika 72

L-applikazzjoni ta’ Strateġija Globali għall-Migrazzjoni għar-Reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk ta’ l-Ewropa li huma Ġirien ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea

1. INTRODUZZJONI

F’Diċembru 2005, il-Kunsill Ewropew adotta l-Istateġija Globali għall-Migrazzjoni. Fil-bidu din l-istrateġija ffukat fuq l-Afrika u r-reġjun Mediterranju. Fil-Konklużjonijiet ta’ Diċembru 2006[1], il-Kunsill Ewropew għamel sejha lill-Kummissjoni “biex tagħmel proposti dwar djalogu aħjar u miżuri konkreti” dwar l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali għar-Reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk ġirien ta’ l-UE. Din il-Komunikazzjoni hija b’risposta għal dik l-istedina u tissuġġerixxi strateġija bbażata fuq il-kunċett ta’ rotta migratorja (ara l-Anness I għall-glossarju tat-terminoloġija użata f’dan it-test u spjegazzjoni ta’ l-akronimi).

L-enfasi ewlenija ta’ din il-Komunikazzjoni hija r-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk li huma ġirien ta’ l-UE li, fl-opinjoni tal-Kummissjoni, huma maghmula minn:

It-Turkija, il-Balkani tal-Punent (l-Albanija, il-Bożnja u Ħerżegovina, il-Kroazja, l-ex Repubblika Juogoslava tal-Maċedonja, il-Montenegro u s-Serbja, inkluż il-Kosovo [2] ); il-pajjiżi msieħba fil-Politika Ewropea ta’ Viċinat (ENP) fl-Ewropa tal-Lvant (l-Ukrajna, il-Moldova u l-Belarus[3]) u n-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu (l-Armenja, l-Ażerbajġan u l-Ġeorġja); u l-Federazzjoni Russa.

Fl-implimentazzjoni ta’ din il-Komunikazzjoni, ir-rakkomandazzjonijiet li jirrigwardaw direttament dawn il-pajjiżi għandhom jitqiesu mill-bidu. Madankollu, l-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali għar-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk li huma ġirien ta’ l-UE skond il-kunċett tar-'rotot migratorji', teħtieġ ukoll kunsiderazzjoni mill-pajjiżi ta' oriġini u tranżitu iktar lil hinn. Għandha wkoll tingħata attenzjoni lil:

pajjiżi ENP msieħba tal-Lvant Nofsani (is-Sirja, il-Ġordan u l-Libanu), l-Iran u l-Iraq; l-Asja ċentrali (Każakstan, Kiriżstan, Taġikistan, Turmenistan u Użbekistan); u l-pajjiżi Asjatiċi ta’ oriġini bħaċ-Ċina, l-Indja, il-Pakistan, l-Afganistan, il-Bangladexx, is-Sri Lanka, il-Vjetnam, il-Filippini u l-Indoneżja.

Għal dawn il-pajjiżi u r-reġjuni, din il-Komunikazzjoni tagħti rakkomandazzjonijiet għal medda ta’ żmien medju sa medda fit-tul.

Bil-pajjiżi kollha elenkati, il-Komunità stabbilixxiet qafas istituzzjonali li fi ħdanu twaqqfu d-djalogu politiku u ekonomiku u r-relazzjonijiet ta’ kooperazzjoni, li jinkludu b’mod ġenerali ż-żona ta’ migrazzjoni. Rendikont ta’ dawn l-oqfsa inghata f’din il-Komunikazzjoni għal kull grupp ta’ pajjiżi. F’xi każijiet, id-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni dwar il-migrazzjoni u oqsma relatati (bħall-impjieg u l-edukazzjoni) huma diġà żviluppati sew. Kull tisħiħ potenzjonali fid-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni dwar il-migrazzjoni għandu jkompli jibni fuq id-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni eżistenti filwaqt li jiġu integrati b'mod sħiħ kwistjonijiet relatati u l-atturi l-aktar fil-qasam tal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema. L-Anness II jagħti lista indikattiva ta’ ħafna proġetti ta’ kooperazzjoni għaddejjin fil-qasam tal-migrazzjoni, viżi u kontroll tal-fruntieri ffinanzjati mill-KE f’dawn il-pajjiżi, u huwa importanti li kooperazzjoni bħal din tkompli tingħata importanza u viżibilità.

Meta tiġi applikata l-Istrateġija Globali, jeħtieġ issir analiżi komprensiva tal-moviment legali u illegali, l-għadd globali ta’ ħaddiema fis-suq tax-xogħol u d-domanda għall-ħaddiema, il-migrazzjoni minħabba xogħol u t-tmexxija tal-migrazzjoni ekonomika, u l-ħtieġa ta’ protezzjoni internazzjonali. Ir-rotot migratorji, ix-xejriet u l-bidliet potenzjali tar-rotot ukoll jeħtieġ li jiġu eżaminati. L-Anness III jagħti xi konklużjonijiet preliminari dwar ir-reġjun f’dan ir-rigward kif ukoll għadd ta’ statistika. L-importanza ta’ dan ir-reġjun għall-UE hija diġà ċara. Madwar terz taċ-ċittadini kollha tal-pajjiżi terzi li jgħixu fl-UE huma ċittadini mill-pajjiżi ġirien fil-Lvant u x-Xlokk u mill-Federazzjoni Russa. It-tkabbir mil-Lvant ta' l-UE fl-2004 u l-2007 bidel il-bażi legali ta' l-ivjaġġar transkonfinali u l-migrazzjoni għal ħafna pajjiżi ġirien, filwaqt li l-benefiċċji tas-sħubija fl-UE li jwasslu għat-tkabbir sostanzjali ekonomiku u l-opportunitajiet ta’ xogħol qed jagħmlu lill-Istati Membri ġodda iktar attraenti għall-migrazzjoni mill-pajjiżi ġirien tal-Lvant. Il-pajjiżi ġirien qed iħossu l-effetti kemm tal-kisba ta’ nies ta’ ħila kif ukoll it-telfien ta’ dawn in-nies, u l-benefiċċji netti jgħinu biex itaffu l-pressjonijiet f’termini ta’ l-għadd kbir ta’ nies qiegħda u dħul baxx li spiss huma r-riżultat ta’ diffikultajiet tat-tranżizzjoni politika u ekonomika.

Ta’ min jinnota li l-Amerika Latina u l-Karibew ma ġewx indirizzati fil-kuntest ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali għall-Migrazzjoni, għalkemm il-migrazzjoni hija parti mid-djalogu politiku regolari ma' dan ir-reġjun. Meta titqies l-importanza dejjem tikber ta’ kwistjonijiet relatati mal-migrazzjoni fir-relazzjonijiet mal-pajjiżi ta’ l-Amerika Latina u l-Karibew, il-Kummissjoni sejra tindirizza wkoll il-kwistjoni tal-migrazzjoni ma’ l-imsieħba tagħha matul it-tħejjija tas-samit li jmiss bejn l-UE u l-LAC (Lima, Mejju 2008). Dan ser isir b’mod li huwa konsistenti ma’ l-Istrateġija Globali u li tippermetti wkoll l-implimentazzjoni ta’ l-impenji meħuda miż-żewġ naħat fis-samit ta’ Vjenna ta’ Mejju 2006.

2. IL-PAJJIżI FIR-REġJUNI TAL-LVANT U X-XLOKK ġIRIEN TA’ L-UE

Fl-iżvilupp ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali mal-pajjiżi Afrikani, għadd ta’ strumenti kienu utli biex ikun hemm ħidma mal-pajjiżi msieħba, bħal profili migratorji u pjattaformi ta’ kooperazzjoni dwar il-migrazzjoni u l-iżvilupp (ara l-Anness I). Dawn l-istrumenti jistgħu jkunu rilevanti fl-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali fir-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk. Madankollu, jeħtieġ li l-użu tagħhom jitqies fuq bażi ta’ pajjiż b’pajjiż u/jew fuq bażi reġjonali, b’mod partikolari meta jitqiesu l-oqfsa eżistenti u r-relazzjonijiet mal-pajjiżi u r-reġjuni kkonċernati, fejn l-applikazzjoni tagħhom jista' jkollha valur miżjud. Barra minn hekk, din il-Komunikazzjoni għandha tinqara flimkien mal-Komunikazzjoni dwar il- Migrazzjoni Ċirkolari u s-sħubija fil-mobilità bejn l-Unjoni Ewropea u pajjiżi terzi , adottati fl-istess ħin.

2.1. It-Turkija u l-Balkani tal-Punent [4]

2.1.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

Il-kwistjonijiet ta' migrazzjoni mat-Turkija – li għandha Ftehim ta’ Assoċjazzjoni ma’ l-UE sa mill-1963 – huma koperti mill-Partenarjat ta’ Adeżjoni ta’ l-2006.

Fil-każ tal-Balkani tal-Punent, il-kwistjonijiet migratorji huma koperti bil-Ftehim ta’ Stabilizzazzjoni u Assoċjazzjoni (SAA), li huwa l-qafas ta' relazzjoni kuntrattwali mwaqqfa jew li qed titwaqqaf ma' kull wieħed minnhom[5]. Barra minn hekk, il-kwistjonijiet migratorji huma koperti - spiss fid-dettall - fil-Partenarjati Ewropej jew ta' Adeżjoni rilevanti (fil-każ tal-Kroazja u t-Turkija). L-implimentazzjoni tal-Partenarjati huwa ssorveljat l-aktar permezz tar-Rapporti annwali ta’ Progress u l-laqgħat mal-pajjiżi kkonċernati. Il-kwistjonijiet migratorji jiġu diskussi wkoll fil-qafas tal-JLS Ministerjali annwali mal-pajjiżi tal-Balkani tal-Punent.

Dwar il-pajjiżi kandidati, il-Kroazja, it-Turkija u l-ex Repubblika Jugożlava tal-Maċedonja, il-kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni jiġu diskussi fil-fond fil-laqgħat tas-sottokumitati rilevanti u jistgħu jitqajmu fil-kuntest tal-Kumitat ta’ Assoċjazzjoni u l-Kunsill. Fil-kuntest tan-negozjati ta’ adeżjoni mal-Kroazja u t-Turkija, il-kwistjonijiet migratorji ġew eżaminati u ssorveljati inter alia fil-kapitoli tal-Ġustizzja, il-Libertà u s-Sigurtà kif ukoll il-Moviment Ħieles u l-Ħaddiema.

Dwar pajjiżi oħra fir-reġjun, il-kwistjonijiet migratorji jiġu ttrattati fil-kuntest tal-proċessi speċifiċi ta’ pariri u sorveljar politiku ( Task Force Konsultattiva ma’ l-Albanija, il-Proċess ta’ Sorveljar tar-Riforma fil-każ tal-Bożnja u Ħerżegovina, id-Djalogu Permanenti Mtejjeb fil-każ tal-Montenegro u s-Serbja), inkluż permezz tal-laqgħat ta’ gruppi tekniċi. Dwar il-Kosovo, dawn il-kwistjonijiet jiġu ttrattati fil-kuntest tal-Mekkaniżmu ta' Traċċar tal-Proċess ta' Stabbilizzazzjoni u Assoċjazzjoni (STM).

Il-Proċess ta' Kooperazzjoni tax-Xlokk ta' l-Ewropa (SEECP) għandu rwol dejjem aktar importanti bħala forum għal kooperazzjoni reġjonali fir-reġjun kollu tax-Xlokk ta’ l-Ewropa, u jinkludi l-kooperazzjoni dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ JLS. L-SEECP huwa involut fil-proċess tal-ħolqien ta' qafas reġjonali ġdid, li ser ikun is-suċċessur reġjonali tal-Patt ta' Stabilità għax-Xlokk ta' l-Ewropa.

Il-pajjiżi kandidati kollha jew pajjiżi b’perspettiva rikonoxxuta ta’ adeżjoni ma' l-UE huma diġà impenjati fl-adozzjoni ta’ l- acquis ta’ l-UE. Biex jiġi assigurat li dan il-proċess jibqa’ għaddej mingħajr dewmien u li fl-istess ħin jitmexxew aħjar il-flussi tul ir-rotot migratorji tax-Xlokk ta’ l-Ewropa, qed jiġu proposti bħala prijoritajiet ġenerali dawn l-azzjonijiet li ġejjin.

2.1.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

- Il-komplemenar tad-djalogu dwar il-migrazzjoni fil-fora bilaterali u reġjonjali u fi pjattaformi ta’ kooperazzjoni subreġjonali dwar il-migrazzjoni jista' jkompli jiffaċilita d-djalogu bejn l-atturi kollha involuti, u tinkiseb esperjenza mill-Inizjattiva MARRI.

- Id-djalogu ma’ awtoritajiet ta’ pajjiżi kandidati u msieħba għandu jinkludi diskussjoni dwar kif l-impatt ta’ żvilupp fil-migrazzjoni jista' jgħin biex tissaħħaħ l-istabilità u jitkattar it-tkabbir fir-reġjun . Għandha tiġi żviluppata politika biex jiġi evitat li nies b’ħiliet iħallu l-pajjiż, bħall-investiment fit-taħriġ u l-bini tal-kapaċitajiet biex jitjiebu l-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol u jiżdiedu l-opportunitajiet ta’ xogħol, u b’hekk jiġi evitat li nies b’ħiliet jitilqu. Għandhom ikomplu jiġu analizzati metodi kif jitnaqqsu l-ispejjeż ta’ ħruġ u jitjieb l-impatt tagħhom fuq l-iżvilupp ta’ pajjiżi f’dan ir-reġjun. Għandhom jitħejjew żjarat ta’ studju minn esperti biex jitkattru l-kuntatti u tiġi stimolata l-kompetizzjoni diretta bejn l-amministrazzjonijiet u tiġi eżaminata l-kapaċità istituzzjonali. Jistgħu jiġu organizzati wkoll werkxops dwar aspetti differenti ta’ l-aġenda tal-migrazzjoni u l-iżvilupp. Fl-aħħarnett, għandhom jiġu inkoraġġiti inizjattivi immirati biex ikun hemm kuntatt bejn emigranti b’ħiliet ta' livell għoli bħal riċerkaturi xjentifiċi mal-pajjiżi tagħhom ta' oriġini.

- Għandhom jiżdiedu l-opportunitajiet għal migrazzjoni ċirkolari , filwaqt li jitqiesu l-movimenti eżistenti staġjonali fuq medda qasira ta’ żmien bejn il-fruntieri fir-reġjun. Bl-eċċezzjoni tal-Kroazja li diġà għandha sistema ħielsa mill-viża ma’ l-UE, jeħtieġ li jkomplu jitjiebu u jkunu armonizzati sistemi ta’ viża fir-reġjun biex ikun hemm ċirkolazzjoni ta’ ħaddiema. Għandha tiġi mistħarrġa wkoll il-fattibilità li tiġi offruta firxa iktar wiesgħa ta’ programmi lir-riċerkaturi jew studenti. Għandha tingħata kunsiderazzjoni xierqa biex jiġi żgurat li l-emigranti jkunu mħejjija sew għat-tluq tagħhom, u jkollhom idea realistika tal-ħajja u l-opportunitajiet ta’ xogħol fl-UE. Programmi speċjali jew ta’ taħriġ kif ukoll tqabbil fil-ħiliet tax-xogħol għandhom jgħinu dan il-proċess. Portals dwar il-migrazzjoni jkollhom rwol importanti f’dan l-aspett u ser ikunu operattivi sa tmiem l-2007. Wara evalwazzjoni ta’ l-esperjenza ma' Ċentri ta’ Servizzi Migratorji, dawn jistgħu jiġu replikati. It-twaqqif ta’ punti fokali f’kull Ministeru tax-Xogħol jew Ministeru ta’ l-Intern għandu jgħin bil-formulazzjoni ta’ tweġibiet xierqa għal mistoqsijiet dwar din il-politika li jkunu risposti bilanċjati tajjeb bejn il-ħtiġijiet tax-xogħol u l-aspetti ta’ sigurtà tal-migrazzjoni. Dwar viżi fuq medda qasira ta' żmien, l-implimentazzjoni ta' Ftehimiet Komunitarji għall-Iffaċilitar tal-Viża li diġà ġew inizjalati ma’ xi pajjiżi tal-Balkani tal-Punent ser jikkontribwixxu għat-titjib u s-simplifikazzjoni tal-proċeduri tal-ħruġ ta’ viżi għal ċerti kategoriji ta’ ċittadini ta’ dawn il-pajjiżi.

- Il-leġiżlazzjoni dwar il-protezzjoni ta’ l-ażil u r-refuġjati għandha tissaħħaħ jew tkun miżjuda biex tipprovdi garanziji legali komprensivi għad-drittijiet ta’ persuni li jistgħu jeħtieġu protezzjoni internazzjonali. Il-Montenegro u s-Serbja għad iridu jattwaw liġijiet bażiċi ta’ ażil u għandhom jiġu inkoraġġiti biex jagħmlu dan. It-Turkija għad trid temenda l-leġiżlazzjoni ewlenija tagħha konformi ma’ l- acquis rilevanti, biex tkun assigurata l-implimentazzjoni effettiva tagħha, u titwaqqaf kapaċità amministrattiva konformi ma’ l-aħjar prattiċi ta’ l-UE. Fl-istati kollha, jeħtieġ isiru aktar sforzi biex jassiguraw li d-dispożizzjonijiet legali xierqa jiġu implimentati fil-prattika. Il-ġlieda kontra l- immigrazzjoni illegali u t-traffikar ta’ persuni għandha tissaħħaħ. Għal dan il-għan, il-FRONTEX għandha tkompli tiżviluppa r-relazzjonijiet eżistenti tagħha ma’ pajjiżi fir-reġjun. Għandha tinghata assistenza teknika lill-pajjiżi msieħba, li għandu jinkludi aktar taħriġ ta’ gwardji tal-fruntiera u uffiċjali ta' l-immigrazzjoni kif ukoll l-iżvilupp ta' statistika ta' min joqgħod fuqha dwar każijiet irrapurtati, bl-użu ta’ strumenti bħal IPA jew il-ġemellaġġ u TAIEX. Ċerti azzjonijiet relatati mal-kontroll tal-fruntiera u t-tmexxija tal-migrazzjoni fil-pajjiżi kandidati ta’ l-UE u pajjiżi kandidati potenzjali għandhom jingħataw wkoll appoġġ bl-IPA. Il-ftehimiet ta’ riammissjoni tal-KE mal-pajjiżi tal-Balkani tal-Punent għandhom jiġu implimentati u l-ftehim ta' riammissjoni tal-KE mat-Turkija għandu jkun konkluż mingħajr dewmien[6].

- L-UE teħtieġ tippromwovi kooperazzjoni iktar mill-qrib fl- infurzar reġjonali multidixxiplinari tal-liġi biex tiġġieled il-kriminalità, b’mod partikolari permezz ta' kooperazzjoni mtejba bejn l-Europol u ċ-Ċentru SECI f'Bukarest. F’dan ir-rigward ser jiġi konkluż Memorandum ta’ Ftehim bejn l-Europol u s-SECI li jindirizza b’mod partikolari t-traffikar ta’ persuni, filwaqt li l-għan aħħari huwa ftehim operattiv ta' kooperazzjoni.

2.2. Pajjiżi msieħba fil-Politika Ewropea ta’ Viċinat fl-Ewropa tal-Lvant u fin-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu

2.2.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

Il-qafas għar-relazzjonijiet mal-pajjiżi ta’ l-Ewropa tal-Lvant u n-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu huwa l-ENP. Għalkemm indirettament imsemmija fil-Ftehimiet ta’ Partenarjat u Kooperazzjoni (PSAs), li jiffurmaw il-bażi legali tar-relazzjoni tal-KE ma’ dawn il-pajjiżi, il-kooperazzjoni fil-migrazzjoni, kwistjonijiet dwar viża, l-ażil, it-tmexxija tal-fruntieri u kwistjonijet oħra ekonomiċi u soċjali relatati, kollha huma parti mill-Pjani ta’ Azzjoni ta’ l-ENP li ġew miftehma ma’ l-imsieħba tal-Lvant. Uħud minn dawn il-pajjiżi msieħba wkoll għandhom il-Programm Nazzjonali ta’ Azzjoni tagħhom f’dawn il-kwistjonijiet. Fil-każ ta’ l-Ukrajna, hemm Pjan ta’ Azzjoni JLS separat – li huwa ekwivalenti għal dik it-taqsima tal-Pjani ta’ Azzjoni miftehma ma’ l-Armenja, l-Ażerbajġan, il-Ġeorġja u l-Moldova – u l-Kummissjoni qed taħdem ukoll ma’ l-Ukrajna fuq il-bażi ta’ tabella, ibbażata fuq il-Pjan ta’ Azzjoni JLS, li fiha l-valuri indikattivi.

Il-kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni diġà qed jiġu diskussi fil-fond mal-Moldova u l-Ukrajna f'sottokumitati rilevanti u qed jitqanqlu wkoll fil-laqghat ministerjali trojka kif ukoll waqt laqgħat tal-Kumitat ta' Kooperazzjoni u l-Kunsill ta' Kooperazzjoni. Strateġija simili qed tiġi adottata fil-każ ta’ tliet pajjiżi tan-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu li l-Pjani ta' Azzjoni tagħhom ġew adottati f'Novembru 2006. Ma’ kull pajjiż, id-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni jimxu 'l quddiem b’pass differenti skond il-kapaċità, id-daqs (partikolarment rilevanti fil-każ ta’ l-Ukrajna) u s-sitwazzjoni. Filwaqt li l-Belarus huwa każ għalih[7], il-kooperazzjoni teknika fi kwistjonijiet dwar il-fruntiera, il-migrazzjoni u l-kriminalità organizzata hija possibbli fuq il-bażi ta’ kuntatti fil-livell ta’ ħidma ma’ uffiċjali tal-Belarus u fi ħdan il-qafas tad-djalogu u l-programmi reġjonali.

2.2.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

Ir-relazzjonijiet ma' pajjiżi individwali huma naturalment differenti, imma prijoritajiet fuq medda qasira ta’ żmien għandhom jinkludu dan li ġej:

- Għalkemm il-qafas neċessarju ta’ djalogu fil-livell bilaterali diġà jeżisti ma’ dawn il-pajjiżi kollha (ħlief il-Belarus), id-djalogu attwali fuq dawn il-kwistjonijiet jeħtieġ jinbeda ma' l-Armenja, l-Ażerbajġan u l-Ġeorġja fil-kuntest tal-Pjani ta' Azzjoni tagħhom ENP, filwaqt li għall- Moldova u l-Ukrajna d-djalogu eżistenti qed jissaħħaħ. Għalkemm ir-relazzjonijiet mal-Belarus huma diffiċli, għandhom jibdew kuntatti fil-livell ta’ esperti dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni. Djalogu bħal dan huwa importanti wkoll biex tiġi indirizzata l-problema tal-ksenofobija u l-impatt tagħha fuq il-migrazzjoni u l-integrazzjoni.

- Fil- livell reġjonali fejn jiġu indirizzati l-migrazzjoni u kwistjonijiet relatati, wieħed jista’ jitgħallem mill-esperjenza tal-proċessi ta' Söderköping u Budapest. Għandu jissaħħaħ ukoll l-appoġġ biex ikun hemm titjib fil-kapaċità tal-pajjiżi msieħba biex jittrattaw l-immigranti illegali skond standards internazzjonali. Dan jista’ jkun rigward il-kustodja ta’ immigranti illegali u l-ħtiġiet tal-vittmi tat-traffikar u persuni oħra vulnerabbli, kif ukoll standards ta’ protezzjoni internazzjonali għar-refuġjati fejn dawn il-pajjiżi għandhom l-obbligu (anki bħala membri tal-Kunsill ta’ l-Ewropa) imma l-liġijiet, il-proċessi u l-prattiċi effettivi dwar l-ażil u l-protezzjoni tar-refuġjati għadhom neqsin. Għandha titkompla l-ħidma ma’ organizzazzjonijiet rilevanti, inkluż dwar l-integrazzjoni mill-ġdid ta’ dawk li jirritornaw lura.

- Fil-promozzjoni ta’ strateġija komprensiva dwar il-migrazzjoni, ir- reġjun tal-Baħar l-Iswed huwa ta’ importanza partikolari rigward it-tranżitu tal-migrazzjoni u l-ittraffikar. L-użu ta' strutturi ta' kooperazzjoni fil-Baħar Baltiku bħala għajn ta' ispirazzjoni, u tal-fattibilità li titwaqqaf pjattaforma reġjonali ta' kooperazzjoni għandhom ikunu mistħarrġa, u dan għandu jqarreb lejn xulxin lill-Istati Membri relevati ta’ l-UE, l-aġenziji ta’ l-UE, pajjiżi oħra madwar il-Baħar l-Iswed u l-organizzazzjonijiet reġjonali bħal SECI, il-BSEC, it- Task Force tal-Baħar Baltiku dwar il-Kriminalità Organizzata (TF-OC) u l-Forum tal-Baħar l-Iswed, fi sforz biex ikun hemm ġestjoni aħjar tal-migrazzjoni. F’dan il-kuntest, għandu jiġi promoss il-kunċett tal-qsim ta’ informazzjoni u jiġu kkoordinati l-attivitajiet ta’ sorveljanza. Il-kontribuzzjonijiet ta’ l-UE jistgħu ivarjaw mit-taħriġ (ġemellaġġ) ta’ uffiċjali ta’ l-infurzar tal-liġi għall-kooperazzjoni mal-FRONTEX u l-Europol, u minn kwistjonijiet bħal protezzjoni soċjali u t-taħriġ ta’ uffiċjali għal kwistjonijiet ta’ xogħol għal riabilitazzjoni tal-vittmi tat-traffikar.

- Kif spjegat il-Kummissjoni fil-Komunikazzjoni tagħha ta’ Diċembru 2006, il- mobilità tal-persuni hija ta’ importanza fundamentali għall-imsieħba ta’ l-ENP u anki għall-UE, biex ikun hemm riżultati f’din il-prijorità ta’ politika barranija. Il-Kummissjoni għalhekk tissuġġerixxi li għandu jkun hemm “eżami serju ħafna ta’ kif il-proċeduri tal-viża jistgħu jkunu inqas ta’ ostakolu għall-ivjaġġar leġittimu minn pajjiżi ġirien lejn l-UE (u viċi versa)... fil-kuntest ta’ pakketti aktar wiesgħa biex jiġu indirizzati rigward kwistjonijiet (JLS)”. Għalhekk, għandhom jiġu kkunsidrati partenarjati ta' mobilità għal dawn il-pajjiżi, inklużi l-possibilitajiet partikolari għall- iffaċilitar fl-għoti tal-viża , permessi ta’ xogħol u informazzjoni relatata mas-suq tax-xogħol staġjonali fi ħdan l-UE. Il-fattibilità ta’ partenarjat bħal dan ma’ l-Ukrajna, fost l-oħrajn, tista' tkun mistħarrġa bħala prijorità

- Barra minn hekk , għandha tkun ipprovduta l- faċilitazzjoni fl-għoti tal-viża għal raġunijiet ta’ xogħol (jiġifieri raġunijiet ta’ negozju, edukazzjoni u turiżmu) u għal uffiċjali li jattendu laqgħat rilevanti marbuta mar-riforma, kif huwa possibbli diġà fi ħdan l-Istruzzjonijiet Konsulari Komuni eżistenti. Il-Kummissjoni tirrakkomanda bil-qawwa li dan iseħħ, partikolarment f’dawk l-Istati Membri fejn isiru l-aktar laqgħat rilevanti (jiġifieri dawk li jospitaw l-istituzzjonijiet ta’ l-UE u dawk li għandhom f’idejhom il-Presidenza meta jmisshom). B’mod partikolari, il-Kummissjoni għandha tagħmel sejħa biex isir dan, b’effett immedjat, għal min jivjaġġa fuq xogħol ta’ l-UE (li jirrappreżenta proporzjon żgħir ħafna ta’ applikazzjonijiet għal viża), u ser tipprovdi ittri ta’ rakkomandazzjoni lill-Ambaxxata jew Konsolat rilevanti ta’ l-Istat Membru ta’ l-UE u tkompli taħdem magħhom.

- Ir-ripatrijazzjoni tal-fondi ta' l-immigranti huwa wkoll suġġett ta’ importanza f’dan ir-reġjun, bl-Armenja, il-Ġeorġja, il-Moldova u l-Ukrajna fost il-pajjiżi li l-aktar li huma dipendenti fid-dinja fuq dan it-tip ta' ripatrijazzjoni ta' fondi. Għandhom ikunu eżaminati l-opportunijiet biex jitnaqqsu l-ispejjeż ta’ tranżazzjoni ta’ din ir-ripatrijazzjoni ta' fondi u biex jitkabbar l-impatt tagħha fuq l-iżvilupp tal-pajjiż ta' oriġini (filwaqt li wieħed iżomm f'moħħu li r-ripatrijazzjoni ta' fondi hija suġġett ta' natura privata). Fl-istess ħin, jeħtieġ li jkun hemm appoġġ għall-metodi biex jiġi stimulat l-iżvilupp soċjoekonomiku ta’ dawn il-pajjiżi billi jiġi evitat li jitilqu nies b’ħiliet, ikun iffaċilitat ir-ritorn volonarju ta’ persuni b’ħiliet (ta’ livell għoli) u jiġu mħajra d-djaspori kbar biex jikkontribwixxi għall-iżvilupp tal-pajjiż tagħhom ta’ oriġini. Għandhom jiġu inkoraġġiti inizjattivi li għandhom l-għan li jinżamm kuntatt bejn immigranti ta’ ħiliet ta’ livell għoli bħal riċerkaturi xjentifiċi mal-pajjiżi tagħhom ta' oriġini.

- Għandha tingħata attenzjoni għal konklużjoni ta’ ftehimiet ta’ riammissjoni . Ftehim ta’ riammissjoni diġà ġie inizjalat ma’ l-Ukrajna u saru negożjati mal-Moldova bil-għan li jkun hemm ftehim li jidħol fis-seħħ malajr kemm jista' jkun matul l-2007. Fil-ġejjieni għandu jitqies ukoll il-bidu ta' negozjati mal-pajjiżi l-oħra. Għal dawk li għandhom ftehim bħal dan ma’ l-UE, l-enfasi għandha tkun fuq il-kapaċità tagħhom li jimplimentaw dawk il-ftehimiet, kif ukoll l-inkoraġġiment biex jintlaħqu ftehimiet simili mal-ġirien tagħhom fil-Lvant u x-Xlokk.

- Filwaqt li diġa qed jasal appoġġ sostanzjali mill-Komunità, il- bini ta’ kapaċità għal dawn il-pajjiżi għandha tissaħħaħ, kemm jekk rigward il-ġestjoni tal-fruntieri tagħhom (jew infurzar tal-liġi in ġenerali) kif ukoll it-tkattir tal-kooperazzjoni tagħhom ma’ xulxin (l-Ukrajna qed tiffaċċja b’mod ċar sfidi partikolari dwar il-pożizzjoni, id-daqs u n-natura tal-kontrolli tagħha tal-fruntieri; Il-Belarus esprimiet l-interess tagħha fil-kooperazzjoni dwar protezzjoni tal-fruntieri u l-kriminalità organizzata filwaqt li l-ħidma effettiva dwar l-ittraffikar mill-Belarus jista' jkompli jissaħħaħ). Il-Missjoni ta’ Assistenza fil-Fruntieri ta’ l-UE (EUBAM) fil-fruntiera bejn il-Moldova u l-Ukrajna huwa eżempju tajjeb. Dawn l-inzjattivi jeħtieġ li jkunu koerenti ma’ l-isforzi kontinwi biex jiġu miġġielda l-korruzzjoni u l-kriminalità organizzata.

- Tista' ssir enfasi ikbar fuq in-nuqqasijiet fl- istrutturi leġiżlattivi u istituzzjonali u l-kapaċità nazzjonali biex tinġabar id- data u jsir monitoraġġ tal-flussi migratorji. Tista’ tingħata għajnuna teknika rilevanti, pereżempju għas-sigurtà tad-dokumenti ta’ l-ivjaġġar, il-permessi ta’ residenza u stikers tal-viża, u s-sistemi ta’ informazzjoni ċivili li jistgħu joqogħdu fuqhom. Għall-isforzi biex titjieb is-sigurtà fid-dokument jeħtieġ li jkunu utilizzati l-aktar żviluppi riċenti fl-użu tal-biometrika. Barra minn hekk, skemi ta’ għajnuna teknika jistgħu jinkorporaw il-ħolqien ta' ċentri speċifiċi dwar ix-xogħol, it-taħriġ u l-edukazzjoni.

2.3. Il-Federazzjoni Russa

2.3.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

L-iżvilupp gradwali tal-Pjan ta' Orjentazzjoni ta’ l-Ispazju Komuni dwar il-Libertà, is-Sigurtà u l-Ġustizzja, adottat f’Mejju 2005, iseħħ fi ħdan il-qafas tal-Ftehim ta’ Partenarjat u Kooperazzjoni bejn l-UE u r-Russja. Laqgħat kull sentejn tal-Kunsill Permanenti ta' Partenarjat tal-Ministri tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern bejn l-UE u r-Russja jissorveljaw l-implimentazzjoni globali ta’ dan l-Ispazju Komuni. Barra minn hekk, isir djalogu informali u laqgħat fil-livell ta’ esperti. Il-partenarjat strageġiku tagħna huwa bbażat fuq valuri komuni li fuqhom huma msejsa r-relazzjojnijiet bejn l-UE u r-Russja kif imfissra fil-Ftehim ta’ Partenarjat u Kooperazzjoni u fil-Pjan ta' Orjentazzjoni. Jipprevedu b’mod espliċitu t-tisħiħ tal-kooperazzjoni tagħna permezz tar-rispett għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem u tal-libertajiet fundamentali fl-Istati Membri ta’ l-UE u fir-Russja li, bħala membru tal-Kunsill ta’ l-Ewropa, għandha tirrispetta d-dispożizzjonijiet elenkati fil-Konvenzjoni Ewropea dwar id-Drittijiet tal-Bniedem.

2.3.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

Wara x-xoljiment ta’ l-USSR, ir-Russja saret destinazzjoni ewlenija għar-refuġjati u l-immigranti ekonomiċi minn pajjiżi ġirien kif ukoll pajjiż b’għadd kbir ta’ persuni internament spustati. Dan l-aħħar, sar ukoll pajjiż ta' tranżitu ewlieni għall-movimenti ta' immigranti l-aktar mix-Xlokk ta' l-Asja, iċ-Ċina u l-Afganistan lejn l-Ewropa tal-Punent. Il-kooperazzjoni mar-Russja fil-politika dwar l-emigrazzjoni u l-moviment ta’ persuni hija għalhekk kwistjoni dejjem aktar rilevanti.

- Jeħtieġ li jissaħħaħ id- djalogu komprensiv mar-Russja dwar il-kwistjonijiet kollha relatati mal-migrazzjoni, inklużi l-ażil, il-ġlieda kontra l-immigrazzjoni illegali u t-traffikar ta' persuni, il-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema u l-aspetti kollha soċjali rilevanti tal-migrazzjoni. It-tisħiħ ta’ l-iskambju ta’ esperjenzi bejn l-Istati Membri ta’ l-UE u r-Russja dwar il-ġestjoni tal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema għandu jħalli riżultati tajbin.

- Għandha tiġi intensifikata l-implimentazzjoni tal-prijoritajiet imfissra fil- Pjan ta' Orjentazzjoni dwar l-Ispazju Komuni , l-aktar l-għanijiet dwar l-iskambju ta’ informazzjoni fuq il-ġestjoni tal-politika tal-migrazzjoni u l-aħjar prattiċi inkluż l-evalwar ta’ l-istatistika u l-kooperazzjoni kif xierqa rigward pajjiżi terzi. F’dan il-kuntest, il-kooperazzjoni bejn l-awtoritajiet rilevanti inkarigati mill-implimentazzjoni tar- riammissjoni u l-ftehimiet dwar il- faċilitazzjoni dwar il-ħruġ tal-viżi għandha tkun inkoraġġita, b’monitoraġġ mill-qrib tal-proċess ta’ implimentazzjoni, biex dan jikkontribwixxi għal ġlieda aktar effettiva kontra l-immigrazzjoni illegali filwaqt li jiġu ffaċilitati l-kuntatti bejn il-persuni. Barra minn hekk, kif imfisser fl-Ispazju Komuni, beda d-djalogu biex jiġu eżaminati l-kundizzjonijiet dwar l-ivvjaġġar mingħajr il-ħtieġa ta’ viża bħala għan fit-tul. Dan il-qafas li għadu kemm twaqqaf jista’ jintuża biex jiġu mistħarrġa metodi kif ikunu intensifikati r-relazzjonijiet f’oqsma oħra relatati mal-migrazzjoni.

- It-tħassib dwar l-implimentazzjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni Russa li timplimenta l-Konvenzjoni dwar ir-Refuġjat ta' l-1951 jeħtieġ li jiġi indirizzat permezz tat-tisħiħ tal-kooperazzjoni dwar l- ażil mal-Federazzjoni Russa. Jeħtieġ ukoll li titjieb il-protezzjoni tal-persuni internament spustati, f'konformità ma’ l-istandards internazzjonali, anki biex tiġi evitata l-pressjoni fuq is-sistemi ta’ ażil tal-pajjiżi ġirien.

- Għandu jkun imħeġġeġ l-iskambju ta' informazzjoni dwar il-qafas leġiżlattiv rigward il-forom kolla tat- traffikar tal-persuni , inkluż fil-kuntest tat-TF-OC. B’mod partikolari, għandha tkun intensifikata l-implimentazzjoni tal-Ftehim ta’ Kooperazzjoni bejn l-Europol u r-Russja ta’ l-2003 dwar il-ġlieda kontra forom differenti ta’ attivitajiet kriminali transnazzjonali . Għandha tingħata appoġġ akbar il-ħidma tat-TF-OC fil-ġlieda kontra t-traffikar tal-persuni, bħala għodda biex titjieb il-kooperazzjoni fl-infurzar tal-liġi reġjonali multidixxplinari fir-reġjun tal-Baħar Baltiku u b'mod partikolari mal-Federazzjoni Russa. Għandhom jiġu mistħarrġa metodi ta’ tisħiħ tar-rwoli ta’ l-Europol u tal-FRONTEX fir-reġjun tal-Baħar Baltiku.

- Il-kooperazzjoni operattiva effettiva prevista fit-Termini ta’ Referenza bejn il-FRONTEX u s-Servizz ta’ Gwardji tal-Fruntiera Russi hija importanti, b’mod partikolari biex tippromwovi l-aħjar prattiċi fil-ġestjoni tal-fruntieri.

3. REġJUNI OħRA

3.1. Pajjiżi ENP msieħba tal-Lvant tal-Mediterran (is-Sirja, il-Libanu u l-Ġordan) u pajjiżi oħra tal-Lvant Nofsani ( l-Iran u l-Iraq)

3.1.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

Dwar il-Libanu l-Ġordan, il-kwistjonijiet tal-migrazzjoni u oħrajn relatati qed jiġu diskussi fis-Sottokumitati rilevanti dwar il-Migrazzjoni u l-Qasam Soċjali fil-qafas tal-ftehimiet ta’ Assoċjazzjoni rispettivi u l-Pjani ta’ Azzjoni ta’ l-ENP. Il-Pjan ta’ Azzjoni mal-Libanu jinkludi referenzi speċifiċi għall-kooperazzjoni fil-qasam tal-migrazzjoni u l-ġestjoni tal-fruntieri, is-sħubija fil-FRONTEX, il-possibbiltà ta’ ġestjoni aħjar tal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema u l-iffaċilitar ta' l-għoti tal-viża. Il-Pjan ta’ Azzjoni tal-Ġordan jinkludi taqsima dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni, fosthom il-possibbiltà li jiġu diskussi l-kooperazzjoni dwar il-migrazzjoni ta’ tranżitu, kif ukoll l-ażil u kwistjonijiet dwar il-viża. Il-ġestjoni tal-fruntiera hija prijorità oħra fil-Pjani ta’ Azzjoni taż-żewġ pajjiżi. M’hemm ebda djalogu formali bilaterjali mas-Sirja skond il-Ftehim attwali ta' Kooperazzjoni. Il-Partenarjat Ewromediterranju, li fih jieħdu sehem il-Libanu, il-Ġordan u s-Sirja, jipprovdu wkoll għal djalogu reġjonali dwar il-migrazzjoni bejn l-UE u l-pajjiżi msieħba. M’hemm ebda qafas għad-djalogu ma’ l-Iran[8], u ebda djalogu uffiċjali dwar il-migrazzjoni u kwistjonijiet relatati ma’ l-Iraq[9].

3.1.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

- Id- Djalogu mal-Libanu u l-Ġordan dwar kwistjonijiet tal-migrazzjoni, il-viża, l-ażil u l-ġestjoni tal-fruntieri, ser iseħħ b'mod attiv fi ħdan il-qafas tal-laqgħat rispettivi tas-sottokumitati, u skond il-prijoritajiet imfissra fil-Pjani ta' Azzjoni ta' l-ENP. Dwar is-Sirja, djalogu bilaterali dwar il-migrazzjoni ser jiġi inizjalat meta jiġi ffirmat il-Ftehim ta’ Assoċjazzjoni.

- Minħabba l-importanza dejjem tikber dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ refuġjati f’dawn il-pajjiżi, b’mod partikolari rigward il-kunflitt ma’ l-Iraq u l-impatt tiegħu fuq il-ġirien, u meta jitqies il-fatt li s’issa ħafna mir-refuġjati qed ikunu ospitati mill-pajjiżi ospitanti tagħhom (il-Ġordan u s-Sirja huma l-akbar b’750,000 u miljun refuġjat rispettivament), l-UE trid tkun lesta li tkompli tappoġġja u tieħu sehem fid-djalogu reġjonali rilevanti jew f’inizjattivi ta’ kooperazzjoni. Fir-relazzjonijiet tagħhom mal-Ġordan u s-Sirja, l-UE u l-Istati Membri tagħha għandhom ikomplu jippromwovu l-kundizzjonijiet li jimmermettu lill-komunità internazzjonali li tagħti għajnuna umanitarja u protezzjoni internazzjonali, inkluż appoġġ permezz ta’ riabilitazzjoni u programmi oħra.

- L-Iran għandu jkun imħeġġeġ li jkollu rwol aktar attiv fil-kooperazzjoni mal-ġirien tiegħu (b’mod partikolari t-Turkija u n-Nofsinhar tal-Kawkażu, imma anki l-Pakistan u l-Afganistan) fil-prevenzjoni u l-prosekuzzjoni ta’ kuntrabandu u traffikar ta’ persuni. Għandhom ikunu mistħarrġa forom bi prova ta’ kooperazzjoni konkreta fil-livell tekniku.

- Dawn il-pajjiżi kollha għandhom ikunu wkoll imħeġġa biex jirratifikaw fejn xieraq u jimplimentaw il- Konvenzjoni ta’ Ġinevra u l- UNTOC u l- Protokolli supplimentari tiegħu.

3.2. L-Asja Ċentrali

3.2.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

Il-migrazzjoni u kwistjonijiet relatati qed jiġu diskussi fil-laqghat tas-sottokumitati tal-Ġustizzja u l-Intern previsi mal-Każakstan u l-Użbekistan fi ħdan il-qafas tal-PCA rispettiv. Il-migrazzjoni qed tiġi diskussa wkoll fil-Kumitat ta’ Kooperazzjoni PCA bejn l-UE u l-Kirgiżstan. Madankollu, s’issa m’hemm ebda djalogu bilaterali formali dwar il-migrazzjoni mat-Turkmenistan u t-Taġiskistan. Jeżisti djalogu reġjonali dwar il-migrazzjoni bejn l-UE u l-Asja Ċentrali flimkien mal-laqgħat imsemmija qabel. Maż-żmien, l-UE tista’ tkun trid tassigura li l-kwistjonijiet dwar migrazzjoni jkunu inklużi fid-djalogu politiku u ekonomiku mal-pajjiżi ta’ l-Asja Ċentrali.

3.2.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

- Għandha tkun mistħarrġa kooperazzjoni akbar fil-qasam tal- ġestjoni tal-fruntieri , skond il-proġett BOMCA, jew permezz ta’ proġetti oħra li għaddejjin fil-qasam tal- ġestjoni tal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema.

- L-għajnuna teknika għandha tkun ikkunsidrata għall-pajjiżi fir-reġjun biex jikkooperaw aktar ma' l-UE, it-Turkija u l-pajjiżi msieħba ENP tal-Lvant fil-prevenzjoni ta' immigrazzjoni illegali u l-ġlieda kontra l-kuntrabandu u t-traffikar ta' persuni.

- Il-pajjiżi msieħba għandhom ikunu wkoll imħeġġa biex jirratifikaw fejn xieraq u jimplimentaw il- Konvenzjoni ta’ Ġinevra u l- UNTOC u l- Protokolli supplimentari tiegħu.

3.3. Il-pajjiżi ta’ oriġini Asjatika

3.3.1. Qafas Attwali għad-djalogu

Il-qafas politiku ta’ kooperazzjoni ma’ l-Asja huwa l-Komunikazzjoni 2001 dwar l- Ewropa u l-Asja: Qafas Strateġiku għal Partenarjati Mtejba [10], li jipprevedi t-tisħiħ tad-djalogu taghna u l-kooperazzjoni ma' l-Asja f’għadd ta’ oqsma, li jinkludu l-viżi, l-ażil, l-immigrazzjoni u politika oħra relatata mal-moviment liberu tal-persuni, kif ukoll il-politika soċjali u sfidi u opportunitajiet oħra globali. Il-Kummissjoni tqis li d-djalogu politiku u ekonomiku jeħtieġ li jissaħħaħ fil-livell reġjonali, f’fora bħall-ASEAN u l-ASEM, kif ukoll b’mod bilaterali.

Dwar iċ-Ċina, konsultazzjonijiet ta’ livell għoli jsiru regolarment mal-Komunità dwar kwistjonijiet li jirrigwardaw il-ġlieda kontra l-immigrazzjoni illegali u t-traffikar ta' persuni, b'enfasi fuq l-iskambju ta' informazzjoni u miżuri ta' bini ta' fiduċja. Huwa f’dan il-kuntest li titpartat l-informazzjoni dwar l-introduzzjoni ta’ leġiżlazzjoni miż-żewġ naħat u li jsiru taħditiet esploratorji dwar ir-riammissjoni, flimkien ma’ diskussjonijiet dwar mezzi legali ta’ vjaġġar lejn u fl-Ewropa.

3.3.2. Rakkomandazzjonijiet

Flimkien mal-migrazzjoni u kwistjonijiet relatati ma’ l-iżvilupp, oqsma bħal viżi, l-ażil, l-immigrazzjoni u politika oħra dwar il-moviment liberu tal-persuni qed jiksbu importanza dejjem akbar fir-relazzjonijiet tagħna ma' l-Asja, l-aktar fl-isfond ta' relazzjonijiet kummerċjali akbar, inkluż il-kummerċ fis-servizzi; it-tibdil demografiku, b’żieda kbira fil-popolazzjoni fil-parti l-kbira ta’ l-Asja b’kuntrast mat-tnaqqis tal-popolazzjoni fl-Ewropa; u ż-żieda fl-ambitu tal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema u biex jitqabblu l-provvista u d-domanda għax-xogħol fil-livell globali f’xi oqsma ta’ l-ekonomija. Dan huwa dokumentat biż-żieda fl-immigrazzjoni mir-reġjun, l-iżvilupp ta’ djalogu dwar dawn il-kwistjonijiet, l-inklużjoni tal-migrazzjoni fil-Ftehimiet ġodda ta’ Kooperazzjoni mal-pajjiżi tax-Xlokk ta’ l-Asja u l-iżvilupp ta’ inizjattivi globali bħall-proċess ta’ Bali. Barra minn dan, xi pajjiżi jirċievu attenzjoni speċjali minħabba l-prijorità mogħtija lilhom mill-UE skond il-politika ta’ riammissjoni. Hemm pajjiżi jew entitajiet li magħhom il-Komunità kkonkludiet ftehim ta’ riammissjoni (Hong Kong, Macao u Sri Lanka), tinsab fil-proċess li tikkonkludi ftehim (il-Pakistan) jew biħsiebha tikkonkludi ftehim (iċ-Ċina). L-UE nidiet ukoll djalogu bilaterali u multilaterali ma’ l-Asja dwar kwistjonijiet relatati mal-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema, inkluż l-impjieg, il-politika soċjali u l-edukazzjoni. Filwaqt li jkomplu jiġu indirizzati l-kawżi bażilari ta’ l-emigrazzjoni minn pajjiżi terzi f’dan ir-reġjun bħala punt tat-tluq, ghalhekk:

- Jeħtieġ li jkomplu jiġu appoġġjati n- negozjati kontinwi ta’ riammissjoni u l-inizjattivi relatati mal-ġlieda kontra l- kuntrabandu u t-traffikar ta’ persuni .

- F’perspettiva ta’ medda ta’ żmien medju, id- djalogu dwar il-kwistjonijiet kollha ta’ migrazzjoni għandhom isiru aspett standard tad-djalogu politiku u ekonomiku mal-pajjiżi tar-reġjun. Għandu jsir użu sħiħ ta’ l-opportunitajiet offruti mid-djalogu fil-qafas ASEM u s-segretarjat virtwali tiegħu li qed jitwaqqaf bħalissa biex ikun hemm skambju ta’ informazzjoni u l-aħjar prattiċi dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni.

- Trid titqies il-migrazzjoni potenzjali ta’ ħaddiema mill-Asja. Iż-żieda u l-ġestjoni tajba tal-mobilità għal ċerti kategoriji ta’ persuni minn pajjiżi ta’ dan ir-reġjun jistgħu jkunu ta’ importanza kbira għall-UE kif ukoll għall-iżvilupp soċjoekonomiku tal-pajjiżi nfushom. Il-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema hija kwistjoni importanti fl-aġenda tad-djalogu li għadu kemm twaqqaf bejn l-UE u l-Indja, u hemm opportunitajiet biex jitkabbar id-djalogu maċ-Ċina, fl-interess taż-żewġ naħat, lil hinn mill-enfasi attwali fuq l-immigrazzjoni illegali u l-flussi turistiċi biex tkun iffaċilitata l-mobilità. Inbeda wkoll skambju fil-migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema fil-kuntest ta’ l-ASEM, u bħalissa qed jiġi mistħarreġ l-ambitu għal djalogu iktar mill-qrib u kooperazzjoni ma’ l-ASEAN f’din iż-żona. Il-Kummissjoni għalhekk tissuġġerixxi li wieħed jara x’possibiltajiet hemm ma’ pajjiżi magħżula f’dan ir-reġjun permezz ta’ partenarjati ta’ mobilità .

4. KOORDINAMENT AħJAR

Diġà qed jittieħdu ħafna inizjattivi varji biex tinġieb 'il quddiem il-ġestjoni tal-migrazzjoni f'pajjiżi u reġjuni ġirien li huma aktar 'il bogħod. Meta tqis li l-valur ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali jikber jekk jiġu assigurati aktar koerenza u komplementarjetà bejn dawn l-inizjattivi, il-Kummissjoni tipproponi li l-Istati Membri jikkontribwixxu inizjalment biex ilestu l-lista ta’ l-inizjattivi Komunitarji kollha fil-pajjiżi u r-reġjun koperti minn din il-Komunikazzjoni (ara l-anness I) flimkien mal-lista ta’ l-inizjattivi tagħhom stess, biex jista’ jkun hemm stampa aktar sħiħa tas-sitwazzjoni attwali.

Barra minn hekk, jista’ jsir aktar biex wieħed jifhem id-daqs u l-karatteristiċi tal-flussi migratorji mil-Lvant u x-Xlokk. L-informazzjoni disponibbli mhijiex tinġabar jew tiġi utilizzata b’mod sistematiku. Għadd ta’ organizzazzjonijiet għandhom informazzjoni prezzjuża dwar id-diversi oqsma li jiffurmaw parti mill-istrateġija komprensiva għall-migrazzjoni. Inizjattiva biex titwaqqaf netwerk ta’ skambju ta’ informazzjoni bejn FRONTEX, EUROPOL, IOM, ICMPD, ILO, diversi Aġenziji tan-NU – UNDP, UNHCR u UNODC b’mod partikolari – u organizzazzjonijiet oħra internazzjonali u reġjonali, bħal SECI, jistgħu jiġu kkunsidrati.

Meta titqies l-importanza tat- traffikar tal-persuni u l-kuntrabandu tagħhom , teħtieġ strateġija aktar koordinata biex jinġiebu 'l quddiem inizjattivi ta’ politika biex isir xi ħaġa dwar dan il-fenomenu. Inizjattivi konkreti jistgħu jinkludu ż-żieda ta’ inventarji ta’ inizjattivi eżistenti (kif diġà mħejji mill-Alleanza kontra t-Traffikar), it-titjib ta' djalogu ma' terzi pajjiżi dwar il-promozzjoni ta' politika effettiva kontra t-traffikar, u l-indirizzar ta' oqsma speċifiċi ta' tħassib bħall-protezzjoni tal-vittmi tat-traffikar b'mod partikolari nisa u tfal. Barra minn hekk, l-UE għandha tikkonsidra attivament il-parteċipazzjoni tagħha fl-inizjattivi globali li għaddejjin, bħall-Grupp ta’ Kooperazzjoni bejn l-Aġenziji tan-NU dwar it-Traffikar tal-Persuni (ICAT). Il-programm adottat dan l-aħħar dwar 'il-Prevenzjoni u l-ġlieda kontra l-kriminalità' jipprevedi appoġġ finanzjarju għall-proġetti f’oqsma ta’ prijorità bħall-prevenzjoni, il-protezzjoni u l-għajnuna lill-vittmi u l-prosekuzzjoni u l-kastig ta’ min jikser il-liġi.

Meta jiġu indirizzati l-flussi illegali, il- FRONTEX għandha tingħata rwol aktar prominenti, waqt li tiġi assigura l-koerenza u l-koordinazzjoni bejn l-inizjattivi tagħha u l-politika globali tar-relazzjonijiet esterni ta’ l-UE. Il-prijoritajiet ġeografiċi ta’ l-Aġenzija fl-2007 jinkludu l-iżvilupp tal-kooperazzjoni mar-Russja, l-Ukrajna, il-Moldova, il-Ġeorġja, il-Balkani tal-Punent u l-pajjiżi Asjatiċi, b’mod partikolari ċ-Ċina, il-Pakistan u l-Indja. Bl-istrateġija u l-programm ta’ ħidma fis-seħħ, il-FRONTEX għandha tingħata r-riżorsi li teħtieġ biex tħaddem il-mandat tagħha b’mod effettiv u l-Istati Membri jeħtieġ li jassiguraw li għandhom biżżejjed riżorsi disponibbli biex jieħdu sehem fl-operazzjonijiet konġunti tal-FRONTEX u fl-analiżi tar-riskju kif meħtieġ. Hija rrakkomandata wkoll il-possibbiltà li jiġi applikat ir-RABIT fil-fruntieri tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk. Il-FRONTEX għandha tkompli tiżviluppa l-metodoloġiji xierqa ta’ intelliġenza biex tassigura analiżi tar-riskju ta’ min joqgħod fuqha, u għandha tkun imħajra wkoll li tieħu parti fi proġetti, laqgħat, konferenzi u taħriġ ma’ pajjiżi terzi.

Hija meħtieġa strateġija aktar koordinata biex tassigura titjib fil-ġestjoni tal- migrazzjoni tal-ħaddiema . L-inizjattivi f’dan il-qasam jeħtieġ li jinvolvu l-atturi kollha rilevanti, l-aktar il-ministeri tal-kummerċ, ix-xogħol u l-edukazzjoni u partijiet oħra interessanti fosthom l-imsieħba soċjali. L-inizjattivi konkreti għandhom jevalwaw u jipproġġettaw il-provvista u d-domanda globali tal-ħaddiema skond il-livell tas-sengħa u jindirizaw kwistjonijiet relatati bħar-rikonoxximent ta’ ħiliet u kwalifiki, l-aċċess għas-suq tax-xogħol, l-integrazzjoni ta’ l-immigranti, il-promozzjoni u l-iffaċilitar ta’ forom ġodda ta’ migrazzjoni bħall-migrazzjoni temporanja u ċirkolari, u l-bini ta’ kapaċità tas-servizzi ta’ impjieg f’pajjiżi terzi. L-inizjattivi għandu jkollhom rabta mill-qrib mal-promozzjoni ta’ xogħol deċenti għal kulħadd fil-kuntest tal-migrazzjoni.

L-Istati Membri ta’ l-UE jistgħu jżidu n-numru ta’ Uffiċjali ta’ Kollegament ta’ l-Immigrazzjoni (ILOs) fir-reġjun u jiżviluppaw netwerks ta’ l-ILO dwar rotot migratorji ewlenin. Il-Komunità tista’ tikkontribwixxi għal dawn l-isforzi permezz tal-Fond Ewropew tal-Fruntieri.

It-twaqqif ta’ ċentri komuni biex issir l-applikazzjoni għall-viża – bħal dak li nfetaħ fil-Moldova bil-kooperazzjoni ta’ l-Awstrija, l-Ungerija, il-Latvja u s-Slovenja u dalwaqt l-Estonja u d-Danimarka – jista’ jgħin ukoll biex jinqasam is-servizz li jingħata bejn l-Istati Membri. Barra minn hekk, l-iżvilupp reġjonali ta’ Sistema ta’ Informazzjoni dwar il-Viżi jista’ jkun ta’ inċentiv biex titjieb ir-rappreżentanza ta’ l-Istati Membri u t-twaqqif ta' ċentri komuni biex issir l-applikazzjoni għall-viżi f'dan ir-reġjun.

L-UE u l-Istati Membri tagħha qed iżidu l-attivitajiet tagħhom bħala appoġġ għall-pajjiżi terzi biex ikun hemm ġestjoni aħjar tal-migrazzjoni. L-istrument tal-KE TAIEX għall-assenjar ta' esperti għal medda qasira ta’ żmien għandu rwol importanti biex jipprovdi l-esperti meħtieġa fil-pajjiżi terzi, kif ukoll f’żoni oħra JLS. Il-mandat ta’ l-uffiċċju huwa madankollu attwalment limitat għall-pajjiżi kandidati u l-pajjiżi koperti bl-ENP. Forom ġodda ta’ kooperazzjoni jistgħu jiġu mistħarrġa fil-ġejjieni.

5. GħELUQ

Ir-reġjuni tal-Lvant u x-Xlokk ġirien ta’ l-UE huma importanti fir-rigward tal-migrazzjoni legali u illegali kemm bejn il-pajjiżi fir-reġjun kif ukoll lejn l-UE. Id-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni dwar il-migrazzjoni huma diġà avvanzati sew ma’ ħafna pajjiżi f’dawn ir-reġjuni, l-aktar rigward il-ġlieda kontra l-immigrazzjoni illegali. L-applikazzjoni ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali għal dawn ir-reġjuni teħtieġ li, bil-mezzi disponibbli, tkompli tiġi żviluppata, bilanċjata u estiża l-kooperazzjoni – l-aktar biex jiġu indirizzati aħjar il-kwistjonijiet relatati mal-mobilità u l-iżvilupp tad-dimensjoni tal-migrazzjoni – biex l-UE tkun tista’ tikseb kredibilità f’għajnejn l-imsieħba tagħha u biex tilħaq l-istadju li jmiss ta' kooperazzjoni magħhom.

Fl-istadju tal-bidu, il-Kummissjoni tqis li jkun essenzjali li, permezz ta' l-użu ta' l-istrutturi fis-seħħ biex tiġi diskussa l-migrazzjoni, id-djalogu u l-ftehimiet dwar kwistjonijiet ta' mobilità, jissaħħu fir-relazzjonijiet ta' l-UE mal-pajjiżi msieħba ta' l-ENP. Biex jinkisbu riżultati f’din il-prijorità ta’ politika, għandha ssir evalwazzjoni tal-proċeduri attwali dwar il-viżi u għandhom jiġu mistħarrġa l-miżuri prattiċi biex jiġu ffaċilitati l-mobilità għall-kategoriji ewlenin ta’ vjaġġaturi disponibbli fis-sistemi attwali tal-viżi sa l-aħħar ta’ l-2007. Meta jitqies kemm inbidlu l-fruntieri ta’ l-UE wara t-tkabbir, jeħtieġ li tingħata attenzjoni speċifika lit-tkabbir tal-kooperazzjoni reġjonali ma’ u fir-reġjun tal-Baħar l-Iswed, speċjalment f'żoni ta’ kontroll tal-fruntieri u l-ġlieda kontra l-immigrazzjoni illegali. Il-kooperazzjoni mal-Federazzjoni Russa għandha tkompli wkoll u tissaħħaħ. Barra minn hekk, ser ikomplu jissaħħu d-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni mal-pajjiżi u r-reġjuni ta’ oriġini fil-Lvant aktar imbiegħed.

Għan ewlieni biex tiġi applikata l-Istrateġija Globali f’dawn ir-reġjuni huwa l-ħtieġa li tinżamm politika koerenti u li tiġi assigurata komplementarjetà bi djalogu regolari u inizjattivi ta' kooperazzjoni fil-migrazzjoni u oqsma relatati li diġà huma fis-seħħ fil-kuntest globali tal-politika tar-relazzjonijiet esterni ta’ l-UE. B’kollaborazzjoni mill-qrib u koordinazzjoni ma’ l-Istati Membri u l-atturi l-oħra kollha involuti, il-Kummissjoni ser tassigura din il-koerenza u l-komplementarjetà u s-segwitu xieraq, bi skeda ta’ żmien fejn possibbli, għall-koordinazzjoni ta’ l-Istrateġija Globali f’dawn ir-reġjuni.

Annex I: Acronyms and glossary

1. ACRONYMS

ASEAN : Association of South-East Asian Nations

ASEM : Asia-Europe Meeting

BSBCIC : Black Sea Border Coordination and Information Centre

BSEC : Black Sea Economic Cooperation

BOMCA : Border Management in Central Asia

ENP : European Neighbourhood Policy

EUBAM : EU Border Assistance Mission

ICAT : UN Inter-Agency Cooperation Group on Human Trafficking

ICMPD : International Centre for Migration Policy Development

ILO : Immigration Liaison Officer

ILO : International Labour Organization

IOM : International Organisation for Migration

IPA : Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance

MARRI : The Migration, Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative

PCA : Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

RABIT : Rapid Border Intervention Team

SAA : Stabilisation and Association Agreement

SECI : South-East European Cooperative Initiative

SEECP : South-East Cooperation Process

STM : Stabilisation and Association Process Tracking Mechanism

TAIEX : Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument

TF-OC : Task Force on Organised Crime in the Baltic Sea Region

UNDP : United Nations Development Programme

UNHCR : United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

UNODC : United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNTOC : UN Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime

2. G LOSSARY

Asia-Europe Meeting : ASEM is an informal dialogue process initiated in 1996. The EU Member States, the European Commission and thirteen Asian countries (Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) participate in the process. The ASEM 6 Summit held in September 2006 decided to admit India, Mongolia, Pakistan and the ASEAN Secretariat to the ASEM process, upon their completion of the necessary procedures.

Bali Process : brings participants together to work on practical measures to help combat people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related transnational crimes in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Initiated at the "Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime" held in Bali in February 2002, the Bali Process follow-up is a collaborative effort participated in by over fifty countries and numerous international agencies.

Budapest Process : a consultative forum of more than fifty Governments from the wider European region and ten international organisations, which aims to promote good governance in the field of migration, a harmonised approach in dealing with irregular migration challenges and support for the transfer and common understanding of migration concepts and policies.

Cooperation platforms on migration and development : A concept proposed in the 2006 Communication on the Global Approach and endorsed by the December European Council. The idea is to bring together migration and development actors in a country or region to manage migration more effectively, in the interests of all, along specific migratory routes. Such platforms would bring together representatives of the country or countries concerned with Member States, the Commission and international organisations.

Global Approach to Migration : brings together migration, external relations and development policy to address migration in an integrated, comprehensive and balanced way in partnership with third countries. It comprises the whole migration agenda, including legal and illegal migration, combating trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, strengthening protection for refugees, enhancing migrant rights and harnessing the positive links that exist between migration and development. It is underscored by the fundamental principles of partnership, solidarity and shared responsibility and uses the concept of 'migratory routes' to develop and implement policy.

MARRI : an initiative forming part of the South-East European Cooperation Process which aims to enhance regional cooperation. Participating states are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Its regional centre is located in Skopje.

Migration portals : web portals with information about legal migration opportunities and various other aspects of migration. The establishment of these web portals will be financially supported by the new budget line, 'Preparatory Action: Migration management – Solidarity in action'.

Migration profiles : a tool to bring together and analyse all the relevant information needed to develop policy in the field of migration and development and to monitor the impact of policies implemented.

Migration routes initiative : work along the main migratory routes through a particular region and towards the EU is identified and takes into account the need to work in close collaboration with the third countries along these routes.

Mobility partnerships: would provide the overall framework for managing various forms of legal movement between the EU and third countries. Such partnerships would be agreed with those third countries committed to fighting illegal immigration and that have effective mechanisms for readmission. Mobility partnerships are in the process of being developed – see the Communication on Circular migration and mobility partnerships between the European Union and third countries , adopted simultaneously.

Regional networks of ILOs : coordination mechanisms to bring together Immigration Liaison Officers so as to better coordinate and share information at the regional level.

Söderköping Process : supported by the EC, its strategic objective is to facilitate cross-border cooperation between a number of EU Member States, Candidate countries and the countries of Eastern Europe on asylum, migration and border management issues.

Annex II:

Examples of EU cooperation with and assistance to countries covered by the Communication

This annex aims to provide an overview of the cooperation which has been established until now in the field of migration and asylum by the EU and the European and Asiatic countries which are located along the migratory routes on the Eastern and South-Eastern flanks of the EU. The list is indicative and by no means exhaustive.

The annex presents the projects which have been funded by the European Commission in these countries in the field of asylum, migration, border management and visa policy.

As regards the information included, it should be underlined that:

a) only those projects that were committed through programmes of the previous EU financial framework (2000-2006) are included in the list;

b) projects related to development of border infrastructures or addressing customs services or the police forces generically (not specifically the border police) are not included in the list; and

c) projects addressing the root causes of migration or trafficking in human beings are not listed.

The information presented should be used actively. Other donors can more easily see what the EC has been funding up to now, whereas we stimulate our implementing partners to take this information available on past projects into account when drafting proposals for future activities.

1. Countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions neighbouring the EU

1.1 The Western Balkans and Turkey

Regional

Project Name | Establishment of EU compatible legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks in the fields of asylum, migration and visa matters (CARDS/2003/077-352) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | January 2004 – February 2006 |

Implementing Partner | Swedish Migration Board, together with ICMPD, IOM, UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 3.000.000 / € 3.000.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | ELARG |

Description | The objectives of the project were to contribute to a better strategic and technical understanding of EU standards and the best practices in the field of asylum, migration and visa; to support the development of a regional strategy, based upon benchmarks that translate a set of commonly accepted EU technical standards, practices and principles; to contribute in the development of detailed national strategies together with implementation action plans; to contribute to institution and capacity building. The project also promoted the creation of a regional network among the officials in the 5 countries of the region |

Project Name | Support to and coordination of Integrated Border Management Strategies in the Western Balkans (CARDS/2004/081-242) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | January 2005 – April 2007 |

Implementing Partner | France, Austria, OSCE, ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.999.984 |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | ELARG |

Description | The project provided assistance to the countries for the development of their national Integrated Border Management strategies and Action Plans in order to ensure that these are coherent and effectively co-ordinated at the regional level. The project has contributed to this process by raising awareness and understanding of the concepts and relevant EU standards and best practice, as listed in the IBM Guidelines for Western Balkans. The assistance has supported a multidisciplinary approach, including support to border police, customs, veterinary and phyto-sanitary inspection services, as well as to other services involved in border management issues. |

Project Name | Fostering sustainable reintegration in Albania, the Kosovo province and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, by reinforcing local NGO capacity service provision to returnees (2002/HLWG/003) |

Location | Albania, the Kosovo province and the FYR of Macedonia |

Implementation period | November 2003 – November 2005 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 700.759,69 / € 560.607,76 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | This project focused on new mechanisms and the development of existing ones for return and reintegration through support to local NGOs (service provision and counselling capacities). The IOM offices in Western Europe defined a list of potential returnees and were able to develop a database. The project was then pursued in Albania, Kosovo and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, by workshops for local NGOs. Reintegration services could then be provided: for instance a reintegration package was defined. Another component of the project was the development of different campaigns to raise public awareness of the targeted areas. |

Project Name | Network of immigration liaison officers (ILO) in the Western Balkans (Albania and surrounding region) (2002/HLWG/013) |

Location | Albania and surrounding region |

Implementation period | November 2002 –December 2003 |

Implementing Partner | Commissariaat General - Beleid Internationale Politiesamenverking, Belgium |

Budget/EC contribution | € 729.500 / € 429.750 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | This project implemented by the Belgian authorities aimed at creating an Immigration Liaison Officers’ network (ILO) in the Western Balkans in order to structure and consolidate exchange of information and possible co-operation between the ILOs in the Western Balkans as well as with other important partners and local authorities. The added value of this project was the possible harmonisation of activities, the updated knowledge and the definition of policy guidelines in this field in the Western Balkans. |

Project Name | Promoting regular migration in the Western Balkans through establishment of regional migrant service centres providing information and migration related services” (2003/HLWG/051) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | December 2004 – June 2006 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 815.119,64 / € 652.095,71 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | The aim was to promote orderly labour migration flows and related awareness-raising through the creation of the first regional network of Migration Services Centres (MSCs) in the Western Balkans. The project contributed to establish and run 6 MSCs (Skopje, Prishtina, Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo, and Tirana, the last one having been created before the project and representing a model for the others) and a website, through which not only would be migrants, but also people interested to return and reintegration, were provided counselling. |

Project Name | Training Action for the Balkans: Three intensive seminars on Asylum and International Protection for 120 civil servants (2005/103474) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | December 2005 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | ERA- Académie de Droit Européen |

Budget/EC contribution | € 641.643 / € 512.617 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Three seminars, one week each, will give a general overview of all the issues related to the migration and asylum, in particular: legal migration; dialogue on migratory flows; readmission and reintegration of the returnees; illegal migration. |

Project Name | Strong Institutions and a Unified Approach in the Asylum, Migration and Visa Management in the Western Balkans (2006/120-144) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | January 2007 – October 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Migrationsverket |

Budget/EC contribution | € 625.000 / € 500.000 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | A better management of all aspects of migration flows in the region by regulating and facilitating legal migration and curbing illegal migration in the Western Balkan Countries |

Project Name | Development of communication and information exchange systems on illegal migration in the Western Balkan region (2006/120-275) |

Location | Western Balkans |

Implementation period | January 2007 – June 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Hungary - Office of EU Co-ordination and ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 625.000 / € 500.000 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | To assist the five SAp countries in the WB region in their efforts to developing a system for exchanging communication and information on illegal migration, and more particularly focussed on the preparation of the WB countries to the use of ICONET system and to the participation in the CIREFI group |

Albania

Project Name | National Strategy on Migration (CARDS/2003/71910) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | September 2003 – July 2005 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.249.989 / € 1.000.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Tirana |

Description | The project addressed the need for reform in the field of migration management in Albania through the development of a national strategy on migration. |

Project Name | 'Establishment of EU compatible legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks? '(CARDS) |

Location | Albania |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Tirana |

Description | CARDS 2002-3 promoted the establishment of EU compatible legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks in the fields of asylum, migration and visa matters. |

Project Name | Sustainable return, reintegration and development in Albania through consolidated preparatory actions for migration management (2001/HLWG/102) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | April 2002 – December 2003 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 835.885,00 / € 635.883 |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | This project aimed to develop and strengthen regional capacities to manage irregular migration flows into, through and from Albania. This has been achieved by establishing the necessary mechanisms to facilitate the voluntary return and sustainable reintegration of 175 victims of trafficking and illegal migrants stranded in Albania in their countries of origin such as Turkey, Moldova and Ukraine. The project was instrumental for the establishment of a National Reception Centre (NRC). It served as a preparatory measure working towards the long-term development of a sustainable migration management system. |

Project Name | Upgrading the border control system of Albania along European standards (2001/HLWG/124) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | December 2001 – April 2003 |

Implementing Partner | ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 551.649,43 / € 441.320 |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | This project aimed to develop a blueprint for a border guarding system and a master plan for its realisation. In order to achieve these goals, ICMPD worked closely with the Albanian authorities to establish an International Border Guarding Task Force. The project also elaborated jointly with the Albanian authorities an action plan which was the basis for later funding by the programme CARDS, thanks to the blueprint of the Albanian border system provided. |

Project Name | Developing of the asylum system in Albania (2001/HLWG/127 and 2004/81185) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | January 2002 – June 2006 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 764.438, 87 / € 732.088 (B7-667) €2.000.000 / € 2.000.000 (2004/81185) |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 CARDS |

Responsible DG | JLS and EC DEL Tirana |

Description | The overall objective of these projects was to set up a functioning and effective mechanism for asylum and refugee protection in Albania. This projects work along the lines of a three-stage process: pre-procedure (access), procedure (refugee status determination) and post-procedure (durable solutions). In term of access to the asylum system, fair and efficient procedures for the border regime, consistent with International and European protection standards, are being developed and implemented. |

Project Name | Migrant Service Centres (CARDS) |

Location | Albania |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2003 |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Tirana |

Description | Migrant Service Centers were established providing information and migration related service in particular to improve management of labour migration towards Italy. |

Project Name | “Combating irregular migration in Albania and the wider region; Targeted support to capacity building within the framework of readmission support to Albania” (2003/HLWG/055) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | December 2004 – June 2006 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 882.345,45; EU grant: € 705.876,36 |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | Relevant Albanian authorities received information on the EU best practices related to management of apprehended illegal migrants, received training (including on foreign languages), were adviced regarding the standards to be respected for the establishement of a reception center for illegal migrants in Albania, for the handling of the latter and for their repatriation to their home countries. |

Project Name | Implementation of the readmission agreement (CARDS) |

Location | Albania |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.000.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2004 |

Responsible DG | ELARG |

Project Name | Building a Mechanism to effectively and sustainable implement readmission agreements between Albania, the EC and third countries (2005/103499) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | December 2005 – April 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Ministry of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation of the Hellenic Republic; IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.818.460 / € 1.454.768 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project supported Albania to identify and manage the return of third country returned illegal migrants and to help reintegration of returned Albanians. |

Project Name | W.A.R.M. (2005/103559) |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Comune di Roma |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.519.207 / € 1.215.196 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Reintegration of Albanian returnees through their insertion on labour market and through micro-enterprises creation. |

Project Name | ALBAMAR (2005/103632) |

Location | Albania and Morocco |

Implementation period | December 2005 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.668.216 / € 1.334.572 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Definition and implementation of an integrated support to Moroccan and Albanian migrants forcedly or voluntarily repatriated from Italy that are highly exposed to the risks of illegal migration and criminal activities |

Project Name | Former et créer un réseau institutionnel pour l’identification, l’accueil et l’intégration durable des personnes en retour |

Location | Albania |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Associazione Centro Europa Per La Scuola Educazione E Societa-Ceses |

Budget/EC contribution | € 834.551 / € 652.443 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Soutenir les institutions albanaises dans le processus de création d’un système efficace de gestion des flux des personnes en retour visé à la mise en œuvre de l’accord de réadmission avec la CE et à l'élimination des causes de l'émigration illégal. |

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Project Name | Support to Migration Management Capacities (2003/72875 and 2005/115633) |

Location | Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Implementation period | November 2003 – January 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 870.000 / € 870.000 (2003/72875) € 1.200.000 / € 1.200.000(2005/115633) |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2003 and 2005 |

Responsible DG | DEL Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Description | These projects aim at ensuring that the Sector for Immigration and Asylum, established within the Ministry of Security have administrative and procedural capacity that will allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to effectively manage population movements, and develop a migration policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina that will be coordinated by the Ministry of Security and regularly reviewed; to ensure that management structures necessary for the effective implementation of migration policies and legislation, in line with the EU standards and practices are developed; to strengthen the legislative basis for the management of migration processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina by developing new legislation and by-laws and consolidating existing legislation and procedures in line with EU standards and practices and other international norms; to establish a Migration Information System that will allow the Ministry of Security to collect and analyze information about non-citizens that will be used to develop migration policy, visa requirements and improve legislation and procedures. |

Project Name | Support to Asylum Management Capacities (2003/072-091 and 2005/109048) |

Location | Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Implementation period | October 2003 – June 2007 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.000.000 / € 1.000.000 (2003/072-091) € 800.000 / € 800.000 (2005/109048) |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Sarajevo |

Description | These projects have the following key objective: to establish a clearly identified and independent authority, as a competent “asylum unit” within the competent ministry, with responsibility for examining requests for refugee status and taking decisions on refugee status in the first instance. |

Project Name | Strengthening the protection of asylum seekers (2005/103661) |

Location | Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | VASA PRAVA – Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Budget/EC contribution | € 856.932,56 / € 616.562,98 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Ensuring a maximum protection and access to justice for asylum seekers, recognized refugees and other categories of persons under international protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and victims of human trafficking, ensuring the full access to their rights via the provision of free legal aid and information campaigns. |

Project Name | Support to EU support for the implementation of the Integrated Border Management Strategy for Bosnia and Hezegovina (2006/120289) |

Location | Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Implementation period | May 2006 – April 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.018.016 / € 1.000.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS |

Responsible DG | DEL Bosnia and Herzegovina |

Description | EU support to the Indirect Taxation Agency (ITA), State Border Service, Veterinary and phyto-sanitary and market inspectorates by providing training, study tours and workshops, revision of legislation, and setting up a joint analysis centre. |

Croatia

Project Name | Protection of Asylum seekers in the Republic of Croatia and Regio (2005/103578) |

Location | Croatia |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Croatian Law Centre |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.274.842,27 / € 1.000.000 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Strengthening the protection in CRO and region (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro) by developing asylum system consistent with international standards. |

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Project Name | Enhancement of the asylum management system (2003/01/08) |

Location | The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |

Implementation period | April 2006 – December 2006 |

Implementing Partner | Transtec (BE) |

Budget/EC contribution | € 160.000 / € 160.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2003 |

Responsible DG | ELARG |

Description | The programme provides short-term technical assistance in the field of asylum regarding the definition of operational procedures on asylum and the design of an IT platform for the relevant line ministries. The aim of the project is to enhance the asylum management system in the country. |

Project Name | Construction of reception centre for asylum seekers (2002/01/14) |

Location | The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |

Implementation period | February 2005 – December 2006 |

Implementing Partner | GD Granit AD Skopje (MK) |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.850.000 / € 1.850.000 |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2002 |

Responsible DG or EC Delegation | ELARG |

Description | The project aims to construct a reception centre for asylum seekers. The centre will be located in the vicinity of Skopje and will have an administrative building for registration and administration of asylum seekers and several buildings for hosting asylum seekers. It will be able to host up to 150 persons, but the design includes possible future extension for up to 300 people. |

Project Name | Development of immigration and asylum strategy, legislation and action plan (2002/01/14; 2003/01/08) |

Location | The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia |

Implementation period | February 2004 – December 2005 |

Implementing Partner | Charles Kendall & Partners Ltd (UK); B&S Europe (BE) |

Budget/EC contribution | € 160.000 / € 160.000 – CARDS 2002; € 1.000.000 / € 1.000.000 – CARDS 2003 |

Funding Programme | CARDS 2002 - 2003 |

Responsible DG or EC Delegation | ELARG |

Description | The programme provided technical assistance and training to develop and implement the National Action Plan for Migration and Asylum. The TA team also provided amendments to primary and secondary legislation pertaining to the new Law on Asylum as well as assisted in the development of the new Law on the Movement and Residence of Foreigners. In the framework of the programme, a new project proposal has been launched that will look into the enhancement of the asylum management system in the country. |

Serbia[11]

Project Name | Building an Asylum structure in Serbia and Montenegro (2003/HLWG/046) |

Location | Serbia and Montenegro |

Implementation period | October 2004 – October 2006 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 762.936,02 / € 530.890,77 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 - HLWG |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | This UNHCR project was designed to assist the authorities in setting up an asylum structure. This implies defining competencies and responsibilities on asylum within the current constitutional framework; Adopting an asylum law at the state level; Putting a functioning body in charge of asylum seekers and refugees; Setting up a fair RSD (Refugee Determination Status) process; Establishing reception centres. The project target is to set up the initial phases of a functioning protection mechanism; a first step, which targets the achievement of the adoption of Refugee legislation and the establishment of reception centres. In March 2005, the asylum law of the SGC at the state level was adopted, but remains incomplete, despite active lobbying during the formulation of the law. Negotiations on defining the best location for the reception centres in Serbia and in Montenegro are ongoing. The target is to have a centre in Serbia with a capacity of accommodating 200 people and of 110 people minimum in Montenegro. |

Project Name | Building an Asylum structure in Serbia and Montenegro (2005/103439) |

Location | Serbia and Montenegro |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 872.507,41 / € 698.005,92 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Continuation of assistance to Serbia and Montenegro to develop their asylum structures. |

Project Name | Employed, Empowered – Serbia (2006/120-073) |

Location | Serbia |

Implementation period | November 2006 – November 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Stichting Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe |

Budget/EC contribution | € 699.834 / € 559.867 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The specific objective of the project is to support the durable reintegration of refugees, IDPs and returnees into society by researching solutions enabling them to build up sustainable livelihoods for themselves. |

Project Name | Support to the process of readmission through sustainable reintegration of returnees from Western Europe to Serbia and Montenegro (2006/120-168) |

Location | Serbia and Montenegro |

Implementation period | January 2006 – June 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Kentro Anaptyxis kai Ekpaidefsis Evropaiki Prooptiki |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.750.404,66 / €1.339.059,56 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Overall objective of the action is support to the process of readmission through sustainable reintegration of returnees from Western Europe to Serbia and Montenegro. |

Turkey

Project Name | Support to the Turkish Immigration authorities in the area of asylum (2001/HLWG/115) |

Location | Turkey |

Implementation period | June 2002- November 2004 |

Implementing Partner | Bundesamt für die Anerkennung ausländischer Flüchtlinge (BAFL), Germany. |

Budget/EC contribution | € 577.800, 50 / € 457.628,00 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 – HLWG |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | The aim of this project implemented by the German Bundesamt für die Anerkennung ausländischer Flüchtlinge (BAFL) was to promote partnership with Turkey on migration policy in order to contribute to a better control and prevention of migration flows and to help to combat illegal migration by establishing an effective asylum system. It helped to develop an efficient and balanced migration administration in all fields, in particular the development and establishment of an asylum system, corresponding to the EU acquis. This project has also contributed to a certain extent to the progress in the planning of the new national asylum system and implementation of the EU acquis. |

Project Name | Development of the asylum system in Turkey (2001/HLWG/126 and 2002/HLWG/031) |

Location | Turkey |

Implementation period | April 2002 – May 2005 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 969.417.47; € 775.533.98 (2001/HLWG/126) € 900.420,73 / € 596.800,00 (2002/HLWG/031) |

Funding Programme | B7-667 – HLWG |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | The project initially focused on reinforcing the UNHCR branch to carry out the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and building an information system. It also commissioned studies on the best practice of countries that could be a model for Turkey, organised training of officials and strengthened the temporary procedure. It enabled the reduction of the back-log in the management of asylum files and enhanced co-operation between EU MS officials and Turkish officials. The second project covered needs for infrastructure, training and information and aimed at to strengthening the asylum procedure, train government officials and disseminate best practices. It also looked for a deeper involvement of the civil society. |

Project Name | Refugee Support Program – Turkey (2006/120-126) |

Location | Turkey |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2009 |

Implementing Partner | Helsinki Yurttaslar Dernegi |

Budget/EC contribution | € 732.340,36 / € 585.854,11 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The Refugee Support Program” of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly aims to develop legislation and national practices as regards international protection and asylum in Turkey, ensuring observance of the principle of "non refoulement" and to improve Turkey's capacity to cope with asylum seekers and refugees. Within this broader objective, the specific objective of the action is to improve asylum seekers' and refugees' access to international protection by improving their reception and detention conditions in Turkey through the provision of comprehensive legal and psychological services; public legal education and refugee empowerment; capacity building for civil society organizations, professionals and government agencies; and lobbying for progressive change in law and policy reflecting refugee rights under EC and international law. |

Project Name | Pilot Refugee Application Centre (PRAC) and Screening Unit (SU) (2006/120281) |

Location | Turkey |

Implementation period | January 2007 – June 2009 |

Implementing Partner | Immigration and Naturalisation Service the Netherlands |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.753.806 / € 997.915,61 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Implementation of the National Action Plan on asylum and migration. Specific objective: The setting up of a Pilot Refugee Application Centre in Konya including a Screening Unit in Van. |

1.2 European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus

Regional Eastern Europe

Project Name | Dialogue and Technical capacity building in migration management: Central Asia, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan (2002/ HLWG/004) |

Location | Central Asia, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan |

Implementation period | March 2003 – September 2005 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.488.765,15 / € 1.210.654 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project aimed at fostering the dialogue between the Russian Federation and the Central Asiatic Republics, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the field of border and migration management. Meetings between officers of the involved countries, and a study tour, aimed at facilitating coordination, at sharing information and disseminating best practices were organised. Some focus was also placed on improving the management of some segments of the Russian-Kazakh border, where some equipment was delivered and a study tour was organised. The project also assisted the voluntary repatriation of some migrants. |

Project Name | Re-direction of the Budapest process activities to the CIS region (2003/HLWG/064 ) |

Location | Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan |

Implementation period | March 2004 – July 2005 |

Implementing Partner | ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 760.383,60 / € 587.183,96 |

Funding Programme | B7-667 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This project's aim was to collect in a comprehensive and comparable manner information and analysis of irregular flows of migration within, from and through the CIS region. The project sought also to establish a network of senior officials dealing with irregular migration, in order to pave the way for a structured dialogue in the CIS region. The CIS countries are now brought into the framework of the Budapest process and are more aware of migration policies in the EU, by attending conferences with officials from other CIS countries, the EU Member States, the European Commission and international organisations. |

Project Name | Towards sustainable partnerships for the effective governance of labour migration in the Russian Federation, the Caucasus and Central Asia (2006/120-072) |

Location | Russian Federation, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan |

Implementation period | December 2006 – December 2009 |

Implementing Partner | ILO - International Labour Organization |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.433.508 / € 1.945.105 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project focuses on key labour migration issues that are rising quickly on political agendas there and are essential components for stability and sustainable and equitable economic growth. There are five specific objectives: (1) To develop practical methods for assessing and forecasting labour market requirements with a view to improving migration governance; (2) to promote decent work and enhance the protection of migrant workers’ rights; (3) to develop a system of earned regularisation and introduce sound regularisation policies and procedures; (4) to contribute to the productive utilization of the region’s human resources by developing systems for the portability of qualifications and reducing bureaucratic obstacles to recruitment; and (5) to develop policies that enhance the positive impact of migration on development in origin countries. |

Project Name | The East-Central European Cross Border Co-operation Enhancement process (The Söderköping Process) (2003/HLWG/009 and 2005/103489) |

Location | Belarus , Moldova, Ukraine |

Implementation period | May 2004 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Swedish Migration Board, UNHCR, IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 997.500 / € 762.488,00 (2003/HLWG/009) € 1.634.873,16 / € 1.307.898,40 (2005/103489) |

Funding Programme | B7-667 – HLWG and AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | JLS and EuropeAid |

Description | This process provides training and a forum for comparing national experiences and disseminating best practices and for peer pressure mainly, but not exclusively, on asylum management, between WNIS countries, some EU MSs (with the Swedish Migration Board in a leading role), the UNHCR and the IOM. A Secretariat is now based in Kyiv. |

Project Name | The protection of refugees asylum seekers and forced migrants (2005/103619) |

Location | Belarus , Moldova, Ukraine, Russia |

Implementation period | December 2005 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | European Council on Refugees and Exiles - ECRE |

Budget/EC contribution | € 705.331 / € 529.705 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Improve the implementation in Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine and Russia of national and international refugee and human rights instruments – leading to increased security and protection for refugees. |

Project Name | Elimination of human trafficking from Moldova and Ukraine through labour market based measures (2006/120-079) |

Location | Moldova and Ukraine |

Implementation period | November 2006 – October 2008 |

Implementing Partner | ILO and ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 935.615,97 / € 748.492,78 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project offers a long-term perspective against trafficking in human beings in Moldova and Ukraine by addressing gaps in the current implementation of National Action Plans against Human Trafficking (NAP). Designed to strengthen national capacity in implementing NAP, this proposal aims in particular to involve labour market actors in prevention, reintegration and prosecution activities. The purpose is not only to support the prosecution and assistance to victims but also in particular to increase transparency, fairness and efficiency in the labour market as concerns job placements. |

Project Name | Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Ukraine and Moldova (2006/120-250) |

Location | Moldova and Ukraine |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.160.346,02 / € 1.728.276,82 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | IOM will run 6 shelters for victims, promote information campaigns with focus on schools, carry out training for law enforcement agencies, including judges, and facilitate their cooperation with NGOs. |

Belarus

Project Name | Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in the Republic of Belarus (2002/29979) |

Location | Belarus |

Implementation period | September 2002 – November 2005 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | € 900.000 / € 900.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The project contributed to the fight against trafficking in human beings in Belarus. |

Project Name | Enhancing Border Management in Belarus - BOMBEL 1 (2005/100-530) & BOMBEL 2 (2006/104-281) |

Location | Belarus |

Implementation period | March 2005 – December 2006 September 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | € 4.721.000 / € 4.500.000 (BOMBEL 1) € 9.066.000 / € 8.800.000 (BOMBEL 2) |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | Through the projects the EC funds a number of study visits and trainings and seminars which are organised with the involvement of EU MSs experts. Two European standard accommodation centres for irregular migrants (in Brest and in Pinsk) and a separate one for asylum seekers in the city of Pinsk have been / will be established, a dog training centre has been upgraded and equipped with modern technology, and various border control and surveillance equipment has been supplied. Furthermore the BOMBEL projects aim at modernising the equipment used by border troops in compliance with the EU standards, through the provision of computer-aided equipment and technology, motor-cars and lorries; engineering, technical, communication, radiation-measuring and other pieces of equipment; communication instrument, with the aim in particular of increasing the mobility of border troops along the green border and their capacity of surveillance on trains and at the border posts. |

Project Name | Strengthening Migration Management in Belarus - MIGRABEL (2006/104300) |

Location | Belarus |

Implementation period | June 2006 – May 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 775.000 / € 700.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | Through this project the EC is contributing to establishing a travel document issuing and control system which will meet latest international standards and comply with biometric requirements. Moreover, a national database will be developed and will be able to store and process biometric data. Beneficiaries are the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Border Guard Committee. |

Project Name | Strengthening Protection Capacity in Belarus (2006/120221) |

Location | Belarus |

Implementation period | December 2006 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 719.628,50 / € 575.702,80 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The overall objective of the action is to facilitate the development of the asylum system in Belarus. The specific objective is to develop an effective referral system in order to ensure the respect of the principle of non-refoulement. |

Additionally, under CBC 2006 Budget, Belarus is supposed to receive an additional €14 million assistance aimed at improving border controls through provision of equipment for border surveillance and the establishment of fibre optic cable networks to central authorities and between selected border crossing points. This latter component will facilitate smooth border and customs clearance thus reducing waiting hours at border crossing points and at the same time ensuring and improving security controls through modern data networks and/or control equipment. Furthermore technical assistance will also be offered, possibly through a twinning.

Moldova

Project Name | Combating trafficking in women (2002/30263) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | September 2002 – June 2004 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 600.000 / € 600.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | This project aimed at providing law enforcement agencies with technical support and training as well as promoting cross-border cooperation, raising awareness among potential victims about the risks of being trafficked, assisting the actual victims by facilitating repatriation, offering medical and psychological cares and hospitality in a shelter. |

Project Name | Capacity building and technical cooperation for Moldovan border officials (TACIS/2003/077575) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | December 2003 – November 2005 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.100.000 / € 900.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | This project aimed at providing training, technical assistance, and supply of equipment to border guards and other border officials in Moldova, with a particular view to enhance capacity of the Ungheni Border Guard Training Centre by providing physical facilities and equipment as well as by assisting in curricula development. |

Project Name | IOM Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Trafficking (Chisinau, Moldova): Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration through Comprehensive Care (TACIS/2004/72590) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | December 2004 – February 2006 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 308.000 / €308.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The project set up a Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Trafficking (Chisinau, Moldova), focussed on the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims through comprehensive Care. |

Project Name | Enhancing border control management in the republic of Moldova (TACIS/2004/027521) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | December 2004 – December 2005 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.850.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The project aimed at strengthening border control capacities at selected Moldovan border crossing points through the supply of equipment and training. |

Project Name | Strengthening Migration Management in Moldova - MIGRAMOL (2006/104300) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | June 2006 – May 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 775.000 / € 700.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The aim of this project is to improve migration management capacity with a particular focus on the treatment of irregular migrants. The core activity under the project is to ensure international standards in the accommodation of irregular migrants with the refurbishment of an accommodation facility, to develop a health care system (including the creation of a health post), in order to provide medical assistance to irregular migrants held, to train staff and develop norms and guidelines for the management of an accommodation facility in accordance with the best international standards and most particularly with the standards set by the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights and the Committee for Prevention of the Torture. |

Project Name | Improvement of Border Controls at the Moldovan-Ukrainian State Border - BOMMOLUK 1 (2006/125442) |

Location | Moldova and Ukraine |

Implementation period | September 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | € 3.250.000 / € 3.000.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The objective of this project is to build up appropriate and institutional capacity in Moldova and Ukraine to ensure effective border and customs controls and border surveillance with particular attention to the Moldovan-Ukrainian state border. |

Project Name | EU Border Assistance Mission to Ukraine and Moldova - EUBAM (RRM and TACIS) |

Location | Ukraine and Moldova |

Implementation period | November 2005 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | RRM: € 4.000.000 TACIS: € 24.200.000 (not all yet contracted) |

Funding Programme | RRM and TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The objective of this project is to contribute to the enhancement of the overall border and customs management capacities of Moldova and Ukraine border officials and to contribute to a peaceful solution to the Transniestria conflict. The deployment of the EUBAM mission along the Moldovan-Ukrainian border as well as along the Moldovan internal/administrative boundary was initiated with particular attention to the Transnistrian border sector, which the Moldovan authorities can not effectively manage. 17 EU Member States provide significant financial contribution to EUBAM's activities through the secondment of border police and customs personnel whose salaries are being paid by the EU Member States' administration. |

Project Name | Beyond Poverty Alleviation: Developing a Legal, Regulatory and Institutional Framework for Leveraging Migrant Remittances for Entrepreneurial Growth in Moldova (2006/120234) |

Location | Moldova |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM – International Organisation for Migration |

Budget/EC contribution | € 997.700 / € 794.665,38 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This project aims at maximising the positive effects of migration on development, by promoting the cheaper transfer and providing advice for the most rentable use of migrants remittances in view of pro-development projects. |

Additionally, under CBC 2006 Budget Moldova is supposed to receive an additional €12 million assistance aimed at improving border controls through provision of equipment for border surveillance and the establishment of fibre optic cable networks to central authorities and between selected border crossing points. This latter component will facilitate smooth border and customs clearance thus reducing waiting hours at border crossing points and at the same time ensuring and improving security controls through modern data networks and/or control equipment. Furthermore technical assistance will also be offered, possibly through a twinning.

A TACIS RAP 2005 allocation of €6.6 million will enable to complete the demarcation of the Ukrainian- Moldovan border (the project will concentrate on the Southern border in front of the Black sea and on the Transnestrian sector, as the remaining parts were already ensured by the Ukrainian and Moldovan State Funds) and to set joint border posts.

Ukraine

Project Name | Fight against trafficking in human beings-Ukraine (2003/69572) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | December 2003- June 2006 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.892.000 / € 1.892.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The project covered three areas in this regard: 1) prevention of trafficking through dissemination of information and increase of public awareness; 2) prosecution and criminalisation of trafficking and building up capacity of Ukrainian law enforcement and judicial authorities; 3) protection and reintegration of victims through assisting victims with legal, medical and psychological help, shelter and micro-grants as an income generating basis. |

Project Name | Reinforcing the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine's Human Resources Management System (TACIS/2005/115-592) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | December 2005 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | International Organization for Migration |

Budget/EC contribution | € 4.341.000 / € 4.000.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | DEL Ukraine |

Description | Support to the State Border Guard Service's strategy towards an EU-type border police / law enforcement agency aimed at reforming the human resources management system (legislation, staff recruitment, staff training, career development).By the involvement of Hungarian and Polish border guards, it aims at improving human resources management, starting from recruitment, the development of training strategies, plans and curricula in line with EU standards and requirements, and being completed with a career development programme for border guard personnel. The programme will support the transition of a military-type structured entity towards a European-type law enforcement entity. |

Project Name | “Establishment of migration management in Zakarpattya in Ukraine” (2003/HLWG/039) and “Enhancing Capacities in the Area of Protection and Treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Zakarpattya /Western Ukraine” (2006/120-173) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | June 2004 – June 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Osterreichische Caritaszentrale |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.627.823,77 / € 1.302.259,02 (2003/HLWG/039) € 874.928,04/ € 699.942,43 (2006/120-173) |

Funding Programme | HLWG B7-667 AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | JLS and EuropeAid |

Description | The projects have a humanitarian component, improving the living conditions of apprehended migrants in Zakarpattya. In addition, the activities contribute to the improvement of counselling, protection and registration of refugees while being detained and during all phases of their asylum procedure as well as to the improvement of cooperation and exchange of migration authorities and NGOs specialised in the field. |

Project Name | Monitor and promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of refugees and migrants |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementing Partner | Chernihiv Public Committee for Human Rights Protection |

Budget/EC contribution | € 78.000 |

Responsible DG/Del | EIDHR (European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights) |

Description | This project is implemented with the aim to monitor and promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms of refugees and migrants with focus on the regions of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Zakarpattya and Lviv. |

Project Name | Assistance to the Legal and Administrative Reforms in Ukraine in the Sphere of Migration and Refugees’ Protection According to the Norms and Standards of the European Union (2004/87047 ) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | July 2006 – March 2007 |

Implementing Partner | Ludwig Boltzmann Institute |

Budget/EC contribution | € 500.000 / € 500.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Kiev |

Description | The project's objective is to increase the competence of the staff of Ukrainian institutions in asylum and asylum related matters and the inter-institutional cooperation of the institutions involved by establishing internal working relations. |

Project Name | Strengthening Asylum and Protection Capacity in Ukraine by Enhancing the Capacity of Governmental and Civil Society Stakeholders in a Participatory Approach and Cross-sector Co-operation (2006/120-176) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Dansk Flygtningehjaelp |

Budget/EC contribution | € 534397,23 / € 427517,78 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | To ensure that the Ukrainian asylum and refugee system is able to function in a transparent manner and in accordance with principles based on human rights and rule of law and in a participatory approach with civil society capacities. |

Project Name | Strengthening capacities and cooperation in the identification of forged and falsified documents in Ukraine (2006/120-195) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 783.161,25 / € 626.400,6 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | To contribute to an increased effectiveness in the fight against illegal migration by the Ukrainian authorities. |

Project Name | Capacity building of Migration management: Ukraine Phase I and Phase II (2004/096-462 and 2006/124-449) |

Location | Ukraine |

Implementation period | March 2005 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 4.204.672 / €3.781.505 (2004/096-462) € 3.074.474 / € 2.767.000 (2006/124-449) |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | DEL Ukraine |

Description | The activities aim at enhancing the capacity of the Government of Ukraine (GoU) to manage the migration flows and control the illegal movement of migrants to and through the territory of Ukraine. The projects seeks to do so by carrying out various interlinked actions, i.e. an assessment of migration situation, the development of best practices, based upon international standards and conventions, the refurbishment of accommodation centres for detained migrants and the piloting of a voluntary return programme, and to support the GoU’s efforts to comply with and ensure European best practices and humanitarian standards set by the Council of Europe, the European Court of Human Rights, and the CPT as well as the harmonisation with the EU acquis communautaire. |

Several projects were funded by TACIS (from RAP 2000 until NAP 2005) in view of providing the border guards of Ukraine with better equipment to control the green border and the land border crossing points (walky-talkies, radios for long distance communication including data transmission, 4 wheels cars, night-visors, metal detectors, passport readers, computers, software for data registration etc.) along the entire Northern and Eastern border with Belarus and Russia, and the South-West border with Moldova for an overall amount of approximately €20 million.

Under the TACIS NAP 2006, an allocation of €5 million (within a larger project addressing also Customs Service) is available to promote further improvement of the quality of Border Guards capacity of surveillance and alignment to the EU/Schengen standards. Both through this allocation and an additional €4 million which is available under the CBC programme (2006 budget) it will be possible to procure additional border equipment.

Regional Southern Caucasus

Project Name | An integrated approach to promoting legal migration through national capacity building (2005/103475) |

Location | South Caucasus |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 971.747 / € 777.397 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project contributed to the creation in the three countries of Migration Resource Centers, where information about potential and actual migrants are collected for the benefit of employers and students, and potential migrants can find information about the rules of legal migration and the risks of illegal migration. MRCs were established in 2006 in Yerevan (Armenia), Baku and Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan), Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Gurjaani (Georgia). |

Project Name | Towards sustainable partnerships for the effective governance of labour migration in the Russian Federation, the Caucasus and Central Asia (2006/120-072) |

Location | Russian Federation, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan |

Implementation period | December 2006 – November 2009 |

Implementing Partner | ILO - International Labour Organization |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.433.508 / €1.945.105 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This project aims at promoting a better management of legal economic migration and at increasing the level of protection of migrants' rights through seminars, trainings and legal advice in several NIS. In particular in the Russian federation it aims at developing practical methods for assessing and forecasting labour market requirements with a view to improving migration governance, as well as a system of earned regularisation and introduce sound regularisation policies and procedures. |

Project Name | NGO and Governmental Cooperation Across the South Caucasus to Develop a Joint Response to Trafficking in Women and Children (2006/118051) |

Location | Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia |

Implementing Partner | Eesti Naisuurimus Ja Teabekeskus Mtu (Estonian Women’s Studies and Resource Center) |

Budget/EC contribution | €600.000 / € 480.000 |

Funding Programme | EIDHR (European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights) |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project’s goal is to raise the qualification of law enforcement staff, social services and journalists. It will establish links between these actors and establish regional referral mechanisms. The project will carry out a public awareness campaign about trafficking. It will carry out regional research and regular monitoring of the situation. |

Project Name | Development of a comprehensive anti-trafficking response in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia (2006/104772) |

Location | Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | ILO with ICMPD, OSCE |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.874.989,76 / € 1.500.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This regional project aims at contributing to the progressive reduction of trafficking in human beings in the SC countries through capacity building and empowerment of actual and potential victims. It includes revision of National strategies and support to their implementation, awareness raising, strengthening capacity of national authorities and improve identification, protection and reintegration of victims. |

Armenia

Project Name | Support to Migration Policy Development and Relevant Capacity Building in Armenia (2006/120-233) |

Location | Armenia |

Implementation period | December 2006 – November 2009 |

Implementing Partner | The British Council |

Budget/EC contribution | € 845.607 / € 676.485,6 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | 1. Raising people’s awareness on issues, costs, risks, rights and responsibilities associated with migration; contribute to the development of public demand for an improved legal framework f 2. Create a structure responsible for providing advice and reintegration assistance to Armenian nationals returning from abroad. Material help will be envisaged, if at all possible, in order to further minimise the risk of repeated emigration. 3. Assisting state agencies in the process of drafting legislation and regulating migration. |

Azerbaijan

Project Name | Establishment of Integrated Border Management Model at the Southern Border of Azerbaijan (TACIS/2006/109-609) |

Location | Azerbaijan |

Implementation period | June 2006 – June 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.185.799 / € 1.987.090 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project will facilitate an enhanced cooperation among law enforcement agencies in the fight against border-related crimes, support the establishment and the activities of a Border Guards Training School, and contribute to procure border equipment and to improve border infrastructure. The project aims to pilot an Integrated Border Management Model at the Southern Border of Azerbaijan, in an area comprising 30 km of border intersection with Iran, including the international Border Crossing Point at Bilasuvar. The latter is the fastest land connection between Baku and Iran, and with the Nakhichevan exclave of Azerbaijan, and is the longest border Azerbaijan shares with any other country. |

Georgia

Project Name | Toward Durable Re-integration Mechanisms in Georgia (2006/120-074) |

Location | Georgia |

Implementation period | January 2007 – October 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Dansk Flygtningehjaelp |

Budget/EC contribution | € 639.352,80 / € 511.354,37 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The Georgian Ministry of Refugees and Accommodation (MRA) capacitated to implement its mandatory function of supporting re-integration of returning migrants, rejected asylum seekers and other displaced groups MRA capacitated to take a co-ordinating function on issues related to re-integration of returning migrants and rejected asylum seekers vis-à-vis the relevant Georgian state actors and European Governments engaged in bilateral support to re-integration. |

Project Name | Prevention of trafficking in human beings, monitoring and support to the implementation of the National Action Plan on counter trafficking (2006/122530) |

Location | Georgia |

Implementation period | September 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | Peoples Harmonious Development Society Association |

Budget/EC contribution | € 77.580 / € 50.000 |

Funding Programme | EIDHR (European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights) |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This micro-grant is supporting the fight against trafficking in human beings in Georgia through prevention and development of institutional mechanisms for prosecution of trafficking and protection of trafficking victims as well as through the monitoring and support to the implementation of the Plan of Action against Trafficking. |

Project Name | Contribute to the transformation of the Georgian Border Guards into a civilian agency under the Ministry of Interior. (2006/) |

Location | Georgia |

Implementation period | January 2006 – July 2007 |

Implementing Partner | Finnish Border Guards |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.000.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC Delegation Tblisi |

Description | The project aims to establish and equip a Border Police faculty in the Georgian Police Academy. An additional €1 million available under TACIS NAP 2004 and should be used to continue with assistance to the Georgian Border Guard Faculty for one more year, contract to be signed before July 2007. |

1.3 Russian Federation

Project Name | “House for Asylum seekers and Refugees in Saint Petersburg” (2003/HLWG/076) and “Complex action for improvement of refugees reception system in St. Petersburg – Russia”(2006/120-135) |

Location | Russian Federation |

Implementation period | March 2005 – October 2008 |

Implementing Partner | St. Petersburg Centre for International Cooperation of the Red Cross |

Budget/EC contribution | € 897.500 / € 698.740,00 (2003/HLWG/076) € 664.856,20 / €502.764,26 (2006/120-135) |

Funding Programme | HLWG B7-667 and AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | JLS and EuropeAid |

Description | The project aims to increase the capacities of St Petersburg in the reception, registration, documentation and integration of refugees and asylum seekers and the protection of their rights by means of supplying them with legal, psychological, medical and social assistance and temporary settlement in a special building. |

Project Name | Migration Rights: Network of Legal Assistance to Refugees and Forced Migrants in Russian Regions (2003/HLWG/082 and 2006/120-166) |

Location | Russian Federation |

Implementation period | January 2005 – December 2009 |

Implementing Partner | Memorial Human Rights Centre |

Budget/EC contribution | € 762.675,50 / € 1.042.672,82 (2003/HLWG/082) € 1.756.092,84 / 1.404.874,27 (2006/120-166) |

Funding Programme | HLWG and AENEAS |

Responsible DG | JLS and EuropeAid |

Description | The projects foresee at providing legal counselling and representing forced migrants in the courts, the development of the asylum system in the Russian Federation, establishing a system of effective international protection for forced migrants in Russia and promoting respect for international standards and rights for refugees, stateless persons, IDPs and forced and labour migrants. |

Project Name | Assistance to the Government of the Russian Federation in Establishing a Legal and Administrative Framework for the Development and Implementation of Readmission Agreements (2006/120-282) |

Location | Russian Federation |

Implementation period | February 2007 – January 2009 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.756.092,84 / € 1.404.874,27 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | With this project, the EC provides assistance to the Russian Federal Migration Service in its preparation towards the implementation of the readmission agreement with the EC. The project aims more specifically to upgrade the treatment of readmitted illegal migrants that are nationals of third countries, through promoting the creation of a model centre in Pskov and disseminating information on best practices in this field (including on assisted voluntary returns). |

Project Name | Prevention of Human Trafficking (2005/115237) |

Location | Russian Federation |

Implementation period | March 2006 – August 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 4.444.444 / € 4.000.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC DEL Moscow |

Description | The main objective of the project is to combat trafficking in human beings in the Russian Federation as a country of origin, transit and destination – by: (i) improving the legislative framework and the State policies regarding human trafficking, including the national capacity to assess and measure this phenomenon in Russia; (ii) strengthening the capacity of the relevant law enforcement agencies to combat human trafficking; raising awareness amongst the risk group, general public and relevant Russian authorities, NGOs and diplomatic missions of foreign states; and (iii) building the capacity of the national authorities and local NGO networks to protect and reintegrate victims of trafficking. |

2. Other regions

2.1 Eastern Mediterranean ENP partner countries (Syria, Lebanon and Jordan) and Middle Eastern countries (Iran and Iraq)

Regional

Project Name | International migration from Middle East and North Africa (2005/103579) |

Location | Middle East and North Africa |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | World Bank |

Budget/EC contribution | € 916.963 / € 733.570 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Identify and support the implementation of projects, policies, regional arrangements, and institutional reforms that will maximise the benefits of international migration flows and reduce their costs. |

Project Name | Management of asylum and migration in North Africa and improving protection of for asylum-seekers and refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, with focus on Iraqis’ (2006/126-820) |

Location | Middle East and North Africa |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | UNHCR |

Budget/EC contribution | € 5.000.000 / € 4.000.000 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | €1 m of the total budget is reserved to strengthen the protection mechanisms in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, with particular focus on Iraqi refugees and asylum-seekers. |

Project Name | Enhancing civil society participation in human rights management of migration (2005/103558) |

Location | Middle East and North Africa |

Implementation period | December 2005 – March 2008 |

Implementing Partner | Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network -EMHRN |

Budget/EC contribution | € 669.499 / € 535.598 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | This project supports the work of NGOs dealing with migrants and asylum seekers in all the Maghreb and Mashrek countries, including Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. |

Lebanon

Project Name | Legal protection to migrant workers and asylum seekers in Lebanon (2001/50530) |

Location | Lebanon |

Implementation period | April 2003 – March 2007 |

Implementing Partner | Caritas |

Budget/EC contribution | € 761.300 / € 761.300 |

Funding Programme | MEDA |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The overall objective of this project is the protection of the human and legal rights of migrant workers and asylum-seekers in Lebanon. By the end of its implementation period: 1. The existing legal protections for migrants’ rights will be enforced in the courts of Lebanon and migrants will have access to the legal and social counselling necessary to take advantage of these protections; 2. Migrants and asylum-seekers will be more capable of protecting themselves from abuse, exploitation and detention by understanding and using the legal process and their social networks; 3. The Lebanese public will be informed of the legal and human rights of the migrants working and living among them and of the nature and extent of the abuse and exploitation they experience; 4. The official administrative instructions and general practices regulating the status and treatment of migrant workers, especially female household workers, will provide greater protection for their human and legal rights. |

2.2 Central Asia

Regional

Project Name | Border Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) |

Location | Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan |

Implementation period | From 2003 - ongoing |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | € 13.600.000 (additional €12 million reserved) |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EC Delegation Almaty |

Description | The overall objectives of the programme are 1) to enhance security in Central Asia; 2) to reduce the flow of illicit traffic through the countries of the region; 3) to contribute to an increased flow of persons and legal goods across Central Asian borders. The specific objective of BOMCA is to strengthen the five countries' capacities in managing their borders in accordance with European best practices. The programme addresses all the issues related to border management, including improvement of relevant legislation, training, study tours, funding of infrastructures, supplying of equipment for upgrading of security at border crossing points, on certain parts of the green border of the countries and in selected airports. It supports as well training centres, facilitated networking and regional coordination. |

Project Name | Central Asian Labour Migration Programme (2006/131406) |

Location | Central Asia |

Implementation period | November 2006 – October 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.900.000 / € 1.700.000 |

Funding Programme | TACIS |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project supports in Kazakhstan the improvement of labour migration data and statistics, the development of a national labour migration strategy, capacity building for migration authorities, protection of migrants’ rights via NGOs, while in sending countries like Tajikistan, Kirghizstan and Uzbekistan it is aimed at better regulating and inspecting employment agencies, increasing information for would be migrants, enhancing capacities of national authorities to protect nationals working abroad. At regional level the project promotes raising awareness among decision makers and promotes coordination and dialogue. |

Tajikistan

Project Name | Enhancing Development Impact of Remittances and Promoting legal migration in Rural Communities. (2006/120-262) |

Location | Tajikistan |

Implementation period | January 2007 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 669.655 / 535.724 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | To enhance the development impact of labour migration and remittances in migrant sending areas through remittance-linked education and investment initiatives as well as promoting legal migration through information dissemination and training of community based entities on reality of labour migration. |

2.3 Asian countries of origin

As regards Asiatic countries, a big distinction is to be made between 1) actions providing material help to internally displaced people (IDPs) of countries in crisis situations or to its nationals having massively fled in a neighbouring country, which were carried out mainly through the "Aid to Uprooted People" budget line, and 2) actions more specifically addressing other aspects of migrations and in particular migrations towards the EU.

As concerns the "Aid to Uprooted People" budget line, there have been several large scale interventions concentrated in a few countries. Among them Afghanistan was a priority. €145.4 million was allocated between 2001 and 2006. Interventions aimed at facilitating return and reintegration of internally displaced Afghans or Afghans willing to repatriate in particular from Iran and Pakistan by facilitating land and houses recovery, access to information and employment, removal of various legal and material obstacles. The programme also supported the functioning of the Afghanistan Comprehensive Solutions Unit (ACSU), whose task is to steer the overall collection of information on Afghans abroad and promotion and coordination of their return and reintegration back home, while coordinating among all the State agencies and the actors involved into this process.

Furthermore, the "Aid to Uprooted people" budget line mobilised between 2001 and 2004 up to €3.8 million to support Bhutanese refugees in Nepal . In the same period, €26 million were allocated to help Burmese refugees in Burma, Bangladesh and Thailand. Additional €18 million were allocated under the budgets 2005 and 2006 of that budget line.

In Indonesia €15.7 million were mobilised by the "Aid to Uprooted people" budget line, with focus on Sulawesi and Timor populations.

The "Aid to Uprooted people" budget line mobilised €8.5 million between 2001 and 2004 for projects implemented by UNHCR in the Philippines aimed at assisting internally displaced people, with special focus on Mindanao. At the same time, in Sri Lanka the "Aid to Uprooted people" budget line provided up to €15.5 million between 2001 and 2004 for projects implemented by UNHCR aimed at assisting internally displaced people.

Furthermore many more interventions of a purely humanitarian nature were promoted by ECHO.

Project Name | Regional Dialogue and Program on facilitating managed and legal migration between Asia and the EU (2005/103523) |

Location | Asia |

Implementation period | December 2005 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.060.728 / € 848.583 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | Develop legal migration and enhance regional dialogue and cooperation in facilitating managed migration from Asia to the EU. |

Project Name | Asian Programme of the Governance of Labour Migration (2005/103503) |

Location | Countries of the Mekong region, China, Korea, Japan and South Asia |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2008 |

Implementing Partner | ILO and UNIFEM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2.447.840 / € 1.955.335 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The project aims to promote active dialogue and cooperation for enhanced gender and rights-based management of labour migration among countries in the Asian region, and thereby minimize exploitative and abusive treatment of migrant workers. The project contributes to the adoption of appropriate policies and the enactment of enabling laws, the training of labour administrators, improving information systems for decision-making, and promoting bilateral agreements and regular consultations among the countries in the region. |

Bangladesh

Project Name | Anti-Trafficking of Human Beings within the Police Reform Programme (Asia/2006/124252) |

Location | Bangladesh |

Implementation period | January 2007 – October 2009 |

Implementing Partner | UNDP |

Budget/EC contribution | €13.700.000 / € 2.000.000 |

Funding Programme | ALA |

Responsible DG | DEL Dhaka |

Description | Within the framework of a much larger (13.7m€) reform programme for the Bangladeshi police funded by DFID and UNPD, the EC funds one component which will focus on introducing a victim oriented approach, and should provide details on how the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police will improve the capacity of the police to investigate THB, on the one hand by ensuring that witnesses are treated in such a way that they feel safe and comfortable enough by supporting the investigations and on the other hand to have the capacity to investigate cases without being fully dependent on victim-witnesses. The project also strives to increase access to justice to victims of human trafficking, create understanding among police officers how to deal with trafficking cases, and how and when to work together closely with other Ministries, the NGO community, and international organisations to ensure best possible referral of the victims. |

China

Project Name | Capacity Building For Migration Management in China (2006/120-244) |

Location | Philippines |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 2499548,85 / € 1999639,08 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2005 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | IOM is supported to contribute to the reduction of illegal migration from, into and through the PRC, including to the EU; to support the enhancement of the national capacity for migration management in the PRC; to contribute to building a sustainable and viable network of partnerships and cooperation in the area of migration between the administration of the PRC and EU MS and to increase mutual understanding and knowledge of respective approaches to migration and migration management between the PRC and the EU. |

Project Name | MIGRAMACAO (2005/103671) |

Location | Macao |

Implementation period | January 2006 – December 2007 |

Implementing Partner | Cabinet of Secretary for Security of the Macao Special Administrative Region |

Budget/EC contribution | € 626.131 / € 500.904,80 |

Funding Programme | AENEAS 2004 |

Responsible DG | EuropeAid |

Description | The aim of the MIGRAMACAU action is to ensure entities of Macao more effective management in all aspects of migration flows, including the prevention and combating of illegal migration and trafficking of human beings through the cooperation with regional countries and the coordination with the EC. |

Philippines

Project Name | Philippines Border Management Project (2005/113-343) |

Location | Philippines |

Implementation period | January 2006 – January 2009 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 5.145.000 / € 4.900.000 |

Funding Programme | ALA |

Responsible DG | DEL Manila |

Description | This project contributes to the efforts of the Government of the Philippines towards a more professional migration and border management in line with international norms and protocols. |

Project Name | “The Opportunity Card” (2003/HLWG/031) |

Location | Philippines |

Implementation period | June 2004 – December 2005 |

Implementing Partner | Opportunity International |

Budget/EC contribution | € 701.417,11 / € 530.055,00 |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | The project led by Opportunity International UK (an international network of microfinance organisations) aims to provide a remittance product for overseas Filipino workers to remit monies back to the Philippines. The product provides a secure and economically competitive means for remittances to be made and uses the HSBC (bank) Money transfer product which takes the form of a cash card to be held by the recipients of the remittance. The initial target is of 15,000 new cards. The aim was thus to increase the amount of remittances as a tool to alleviate poverty by making them more accessible, cost and time-effective and safe. |

Sri Lanka

Project Name | Possible Establishment of an Information Exchange System Field-Based Country of Origin Information System With Regard to Sri Lanka (2001/HLWG/122) |

Location | Sri Lanka |

Implementation period | January 2002 – April 2005 |

Implementing Partner | ICMPD |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.079.663,55; EU grant: € 863.731,00 |

Funding Programme | HLWG – B7-667 |

Responsible DG | JLS |

Description | The purpose of this project was to provide country of origin information to interested Governments when dealing with pre-departure return planning of Sri Lankan nationals and therefore facilitating a more successful integration of Sri Lankan national returnees. |

Project Name | Capacity Building in Migration Management and Sustainable Return and Reintegration in Sri Lanka (2001/HLWG/130, 2002/HLWG/002, 2003/HLWG/060, 2005/103522) |

Location | Sri Lanka |

Implementation period | December 2001 – November 2007 |

Implementing Partner | IOM |

Budget/EC contribution | € 1.353.141 / € 1.082.513 (2001/HLWG/130) € 600.000 / € 507.713,70 (2002/HLWG/002) € 1.115.397,90 / € 892.318,32 (2003/HLWG/060) € 2.341.830 / € 1.873.464 (2005/103522) |

Funding Programme | HLWG and AENEAS |

Responsible DG | JLS and EuropeAid |

Description | The EC’s support to Sri Lanka focuses at strengthening the capacity of Sri Lanka to manage migration, enhance regular migration, support assisted voluntary return and reintegration and foster economic relations and exchange of experience between Sri Lankan migrants and their home country. In addition, the four projects strived to build the capacity of the Sri Lankan government to reduce irregular migration into and through Sri Lanka, and a wide range of training activities were conducted, both within Sri Lanka as is the EU. |

Annex III: Overview of the migratory situation and flows from and in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions neighbouring the EU and statistics

The latest available data indicates that around 5.5 million migrants from countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions are residing legally in the EU, which represents nearly 30% of all resident third-country nationals. The most important countries of origin are Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Ukraine.

In terms of illegal immigration , and in comparison to migration from Africa, migration from the Eastern and South-Eastern regions is different in nature: the flows are more constant (there is no specific seasonal cycle), more diffuse (given the multiplicity of possible entry points and the fact that an important share of illegal immigration is due to persons who enter the EU legally but overstay their visa) and more under the control of networks connected with organised crime and involved in multiform criminal businesses.

As regards numbers, a rough analysis suggests that migration flows to the EU originating in neighbouring countries reached its peak at the end of the 1990s and that this is now stabilising if not slightly declining; this is a trend that is likely to continue due to economic growth and increased political stability. At the same time there is evidence that migrants from Asia are seeking new routes into the EU via Africa, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. It is predicted that flows from Asia will increase.

While illegal immigration negatively impacts on the EU, countries of origin are also significantly affected by migration. Whilst in some cases, attracting migrant labour is an important concern for the EU given the sharp decline in population, for countries of origin difficult economic situations can generate high levels of emigration among people of working age, people who may then however remit important earnings to their country of origin.

Assessing the scale and nature of migratory flows from, through or to the countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions neighbouring the EU is a difficult task which must take into account the changes in the EU's external borders: following enlargement of the Union to include Bulgaria and Romania, the EU now has more extended external borders with Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine and Turkey; a new external border with Moldova; and an additional external sea border at the Black Sea which brings the countries of the Southern Caucasus closer. Land borders are also due to change as soon as the newer Member States join the Schengen area. As the borders of the EU shift, migratory routes also shift, displacing existing routes or adding new ones. New routes also appear when certain routes are closed off following increased action by enforcement agencies charged with tackling illegal immigration and organised crime. In addition, in recent years migratory flows have increasingly diversified and new migratory flows are emerging alongside traditional and relatively long-standing ones. In this context, migration is more difficult to manage and Member States increasingly turn to the EU to seek solutions via cross-border dialogue and cooperation with and within the partner regions.

Regarding asylum, according to UNHCR, seven of the ten main countries of origin of asylum-seekers in the EU in 2004 were countries in the Eastern and South-Eastern regions neighbouring the EU, namely in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and Asia. This is compared to three countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Capacity to ensure proper asylum processing in many countries of these regions is weak. Even when refugees staying in the region enjoy legal security, the poor social and economic climate is a barrier to integration.

TABLE 1: Nationals of Eastern and South-Eastern countries neighbouring the EU and of Asiatic countries registered by EU-25

As Legally residing (2004) | As Apprehended illegal migrants (2005) | As receivers of a visa (2005) | As asylum seekers (2005) |

From South Caucasus | 93,504 | 6,903 | 78,774 | 12,896 |

From Eastern Europe | 536,658 | 41,211 | 2,039,952 | 9,322 |

From Western Balkans | 2,502,906 | 83,173 | 838,174 | 25,890 |

From Turkey | 2,456,186 | 9,749 | 532,177 | 10,746 |

From Russian Federation | 485,053 | 13,844 | 2,833,392 | 18,143 |

TOTAL | 6,074,307 | 154,880 | 6,322,469 | 76,997 |

From Asiatic countries[12] | 2,002,589 | 58,518 | 1,447,382 | 62,975 |

TOTAL all groups above | 8,079,154 | 213,398 | 7,769,851 | 139,972 |

TABLE 2: Number of illegal migrants apprehended by law enforcement agencies of Eastern and South-Eastern countries neighbouring the EU

Year 2004 | Year 2005 |

In South Caucasus | 3,123 | 3,029 |

In Eastern Europe | 10,104 | 13,748 |

In Western Balkans | 6,919 | 8,234 |

In Turkey | 61,228 | 57,428 |

TOTAL | 81,374 | 82,439 |

Notes: Figures are Commission estimates based on the apprehension reports by ICMPD and other national sources Apprehended own nationals are in some cases included.

Data from Turkey includes apprehensions within the country. Source: ICMPD: 2005 Yearbook. Vienna 2006.

South Caucasus: no data was available for Armenia.

Western Balkans: For Albania for 2004 no data was available.

Western NIS: For Belarus only the number of apprehended illegal migrants by MOI was available. For Moldova only the number of deported persons was available.

TABLE 3: Number of asylum seekers registered in Eastern and South Eastern countries neighbouring the EU- Year 2004

Total asylum seekers |

South Caucasus | 1,431 |

Eastern Europe | 2,189 |

Western Balkans | 586 |

Turkey | 3,908 |

TOTAL | 8,114 |

Source: UNHCR Statistical yearbook 2004

TABLE 4: Stock of third country nationals from Eastern countries legally residing in the EU27

Nationals of Eastern and South-Eastern countries neighbouring the EU, including Russian Federation

Turkey | 2456186 |

Serbia-Montenegro | 839247 |

Albania | 778748 |

Russian Federation | 485053 |

Ukraine | 451283 |

Bosnia and Herzegovina | 352449 |

Croatia | 338307 |

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia | 194155 |

Moldova | 82011 |

Armenia | 59381 |

Georgia | 31166 |

Azerbaijan | 2957 |

Belarus | 3364 |

TOTAL | 6074307 |

Nationals of Asiatic countries of transit and origin

China | 405546 |

India | 326592 |

Iraq | 186505 |

Pakistan | 170734 |

Sri Lanka | 149329 |

Islamic Republic of Iran | 131932 |

Vietnam | 126862 |

Indonesia | 124088 |

Bangladesh | 113464 |

Afghanistan | 92119 |

Lebanon | 74227 |

Syria | 54704 |

Jordan | 17290 |

Uzbekistan | 10313 |

Kirgizstan | 9759 |

Kazakhstan | 6257 |

Turkmenistan | 1755 |

Tajikistan | 1113 |

TOTAL nationals from Asiatic countries | 2002589 |

[pic]

TABLE 5: Visa data

Group 1 |

Russia | 2833392 |

Ukraine | 1348162 |

Belarus | 629849 |

Serbia and Montenegro | 541244 |

Turkey | 532177 |

Albania | 136569 |

Bosnia and Herezegovina | 128750 |

Moldova | 61941 |

Georgia | 40322 |

Armenia | 21911 |

Croatia | 17545 |

Azerbaijan | 16541 |

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia | 14066 |

Total group 1 | 6322469 |

Group 2 |

China | 592644 |

India | 292861 |

Iran | 104898 |

Kazakhstan | 104166 |

Lebanon | 74299 |

Indonesia | 67931 |

Pakistan | 40243 |

Syria | 37708 |

Vietnam | 35372 |

Jordan | 31449 |

Sri Lanka | 16984 |

Uzbekistan | 12232 |

Bangladesh | 11808 |

Kyrgizstan | 8930 |

Iraq | 6563 |

Turkmenistan | 4033 |

Afghanistan | 3526 |

Tajikistan | 1735 |

TOTAL group 2 | 1447382 |

TOTAL group 1 + group 2 | 7769851 |

TOTAL visas issued worldwide | 11709251 |

Percentage of visas issued in countries group 1 | 54% |

Percentage of visas issued in countries group 2 | 12,30% |

NB. Transit A visas not included. Data is for the year 2005.

Source: Visa data collection managed by Council secretariat and Commission

TABLE 6: Apprehended illegal aliens in EU25, 2004-2005 |

Group 1 | Nationals of Eastern and South-Eastern countries neighbouring the EU including Russian Federation |

Country | 2004 | 2005 |

Albania | 36965 | 52388 |

Ukraine | 29156 | 26791 |

Russia | 17276 | 13844 |

Serbia Montenegro | 6988 | 13058 |

Moldova | 10710 | 11444 |

Turkey | 9775 | 9749 |

Georgia | 5627 | 4009 |

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia | 3532 | 3518 |

Belarus | 2911 | 2976 |

Bosnia | 2663 | 2483 |

Armenia | 2142 | 1938 |

Croatia | 1110 | 1151 |

Azerbaijan | 1417 | 956 |

Total group 1 | 134,597 | 154,880 |

Group 2 | Nationals of Asiatic countries of origin and transit |

Country | 2004 | 2005 |

Iraq | 6861 | 14242 |

China | 10715 | 10894 |

India | 9168 | 9905 |

Pakistan | 5151 | 6724 |

Iran | 2858 | 4640 |

Bangladesh | 3223 | 3551 |

Vietnam | 2325 | 2338 |

Syria | 1526 | 1728 |

Afghanistan | 724 | 909 |

Lebanon | 736 | 803 |

Sri Lanka | 1101 | 745 |

Uzbekistan | 517 | 642 |

Kazakhstan | 616 | 587 |

Kirgyzstan | 301 | 350 |

Jordan | 161 | 212 |

Indonesia | 147 | 114 |

Tajikistan | 109 | 100 |

Turkmenistan | 73 | 34 |

Total group 2 | 46312 | 58518 |

TOTAL groups 1 & 2 | 180,909 | 213,398 |

Total apprehended illegals in all countries in EU25 | 390123 | 423378 |

% from 2 above groups on global total | 46.37% | 50,40% |

Source: Eurostat

NB – Order in the list follows 2005 ranking.

Missing data: Ireland, Luxembourg, UK

TABLE 7: Asylum applications and positive decisions in EU25, 2004-2005 |

Asylum applications and positive decisions in EU25, 2004-2005 |

Source: Eurostat |

Group 1 |

2004 | 2005 |

Country | Applications | Positive decisions | Ratio % between applications and positive decisions | Applications | Positive decisions | Ratio % between applications and positive decisions |

Serbia Montenegro | 17432 | 1866 | 10,70 | 19475 | 1978 | 10,16 |

Russia | 26373 | 7446 | 28,23 | 18143 | 8386 | 46,22 |

Turkey | 13547 | 1611 | 11,89 | 10746 | 1453 | 13,52 |

Georgia | 7452 | 189 | 2,54 | 6330 | 153 | 2,42 |

Moldova | 5229 | 90 | 1,72 | 4506 | 75 | 1,66 |

Armenia | 3682 | 193 | 5,24 | 3793 | 427 | 1,26 |

Bosnia | 3955 | 1134 | 28,67 | 3183 | 875 | 27,49 |

Ukraine | 4569 | 138 | 3,02 | 3077 | 118 | 3,83 |

Azerbaijan | 3630 | 362 | 9,97 | 2773 | 714 | 25,75 |

Belarus | 1931 | 165 | 8,54 | 1739 | 216 | 12,42 |

FYR of Macedonia | 2000 | 38 | 1,90 | 1578 | 68 | 4,31 |

Albania | 1882 | 214 | 11,37 | 1378 | 120 | 8,71 |

Croatia | 456 | 17 | 3,73 | 276 | 26 | 9,42 |

Total group 1 | 92138 | 13463 | 14,61 | 76997 | 14609 | 18,97 |

2004 | 2005 |

Country | Applications | Positive decisions | Ratio % between applications and positive decisions | Applications | Positive decisions | Ratio % between applications and positive decisions |

Iraq | 7910 | 2705 | 34,20 | 10805 | 4260 | 39,43 |

China | 11445 | 305 | 2,66 | 7765 | 345 | 4,44 |

Iran | 8760 | 1560 | 17,81 | 7485 | 1920 | 25,65 |

Pakistan | 8940 | 360 | 4,03 | 6810 | 440 | 6,46 |

Afghanistan | 7135 | 2610 | 36,58 | 6765 | 2420 | 35,77 |

India | 9710 | 35 | 0,36 | 5795 | 45 | 0,78 |

Bangladesh | 5535 | 340 | 6,14 | 4220 | 225 | 5,33 |

Sri Lanka | 3600 | 480 | 13,33 | 3890 | 275 | 7,07 |

Syria | 2910 | 440 | 15,12 | 3695 | 730 | 19,76 |

Vietnam | 3340 | 285 | 8,53 | 2400 | 180 | 7,50 |

Lebanon | 1200 | 45 | 3,75 | 1320 | 130 | 9,85 |

Uzbekistan | 590 | 100 | 16,95 | 725 | 180 | 24,83 |

Kazakhstan | 590 | 85 | 14,41 | 435 | 85 | 19,54 |

Kirgyzstan | 510 | 45 | 8,82 | 390 | 90 | 23,08 |

Jordan | 230 | 15 | 6,52 | 255 | 25 | 9,80 |

Tajikistan | 130 | 25 | 19,23 | 95 | 10 | 10,53 |

Indonesia | 75 | 5 | 6,67 | 70 | 0 | 0,00 |

Turkmenistan | 115 | 30 | 26,09 | 55 | 15 | 27,27 |

Total Group 2 | 72725 | 9470 | 13,02 | 62975 | 11375 | 18,06 |

2004 | 2005 |

Applications | Positive decisions | % Positive decisions | Applications | Positive decisions | % Positive decisions |

TOTAL all groups | 164863 | 22933 | 13,91 | 139972 | 25984 | 18,56 |

Total asylum applications/decisions from all countries in EU25 | 282480 | 62986 | 237840 | 73068 |

Percentage from 2 above groups on global total | 58,36% | 36,40% | 58,85% | 35,56% |

N.B. Order on the list follows order of importance of applications in 2005 |

The ratio between applications and positive decisions is not a recognition rate |

Remarks: |

Data rounded up to the nearest 5. |

2004 - no applications data disaggregated by citizenship available for IT |

2004 - no decisions data available for IT |

2004, 2005 - no decisions data available for LU |

[1] Ibbażati fuq Komunikazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Istrateġija Globali Sena Wara: Lejn politika komprensiva Ewropea dwar il-migrazzjoni, Novembru 2006, COM(2006) 735 finali.

[2] Kif denifit fir-Riżoluzzjoni 1244 tal-Kunsill tas-Sigurtà tan-NU.

[3] Fil-każ tal-Belarus, id-djalogu għandu jseħħ skond ir-restrizzjonijiet applikati għar-relazzjonijiet bejn l-UE u l-Belarus dwar il-kuntatti ma’ l-awtoritajiet u fi ħdan qafas reġjonali.

[4] It-Turkija ġiet rikonoxxuta uffiċjalment bħala pajjiż kandidat f’Diċembru 1999. In-negozjati ta’ adeżjoni nfetħu fit-3 ta’ Ottubru 2005. Il-Kroazja wkoll hija pajjiż kandidat li qed jinnegozja adeżjoni ma' l-UE. L-ex Repubblika Jugożlava tal-Maċedonja ngħatat l-istatus ta’ pajjiż kandidat f’Diċembru 2005 iżda għadha ma bdietx in-negozjati għall-adeżjoni.

[5] Filwaqt li l-SAA mal-Kroazja u l-ex Repubblika Jugożlava tal-Maċedonja huma fis-seħħ, l-SAA ma’ l-Albanija ġie ffirmat iżda għadu ma ġiex ratifikat, l-SAA mal-Montenegro ġie inizjalat, in-negozjati għal SAA mal-Bożnja u Ħerżegovina ġew finalizzati filwaqt li n-negozjati għal SAA mas-Serbja huma bħalissa weqfin.

[6] Il-ftehim ta’ riammissjoni tal-KE ma’ l-Albanija ilu fis-seħħ minn Mejju 2006; Ftehimiet ta’ riammissjoni mal-Bożnja u Ħerżegovina, is-Serbja, l-ex Repubblika Jugożlava tal-Maċedona u l-Montenegro ġew inizjalati u mistennija jidħlu fis-seħħ sa tmiem l-2007.

[7] M’hemm ebda PCA fis-seħħ mal-Belarus u, konformi mal-Konklużjonijiet tal-Kunsill, ir-relazzjoni ta’ l-UE mal-Belarus titmexxa fuq politika fuq żewġ binarji li fiha poltika ta’ kuntratti ristretti fil-Livell Ministerjali timxi b’mod parallel ma’ l-assistenza teknika tal-KE diretta lejn id-demokratizzazzjoni u l-appoġġ għal-ħtiġiet tal-popolazzjoni.

[8] Minħabba l-kriżi nukleari ta' l-Iran, ma setghetx issir sessjoni oħra ta' negozjati wara Lulju 2005. Meta jkunu jistgħu jitkomplew in-negozjati TCA, l-UE u r-Repubblika Iżlamika ta’ l-Iran jistgħu jaraw li jkun fl-interess reċiproku tagħhom li jinkludu dispożizzjonijiet speċifiċi għad-djalogu u l-kooperazzjoni dwar kwistjonijiet ta’ migrazzjoni.

[9] F’Novembru 2006, il-Kummissjoni fetħet negozjati għal TCA ma’ l-Iraq. Id-djalogu ma’ l-Iraq dwar il-migrazzjoni, il-viżi u l-ażil ser jiddependu ħafna fuq is-sitwazzjoni tas-sigurtà fl-Iraq, kif ukoll sa liema livell l-amministrazzjoni Iraqqina ser iżżid il-kapaċitajiet tagħha.

[10] COM (2001) 469, 04.09.2001.

[11] Projects which started before the separation of Serbia and Montenegro and which now cover both countries can be found under Serbia.

[12] 'Asiatic countries' includes here: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.