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https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-232386?&lg=INT
Press release
24 October 202218:30
The Prague Process: Conference on Migration returns to Prague after 13 years
Current migration challenges in our region and beyond or the future of cooperation within the Prague Process, these are the main topics of the two-day ministerial conference taking place on 24 and 25 October 2022 in Prague as part of the Czech EU Presidency. The ministers agreed on a joint Declaration and Action Plan for 2023-2027.
The Ministerial Conference of the Prague Process was opened today by Interior Minister Vít Rakušan. It is one of the one of the biggest events organised by the Ministry of the Interior as part of the Czech Presidency bringing together representatives of almost 50 countries. These countries are currently facing several challenges. From war conflicts, to migration, to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.
Cooperation between our countries is now more important than ever. The fact that we are all here today is a testament to our migration partnership. I am glad that we have agreed that we want to tackle all the current challenges together and we will continue our cooperation on migration,Vít Rakušan1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
The ministers opened the first day of the conference with a debate on the current migration challenges in our region and beyond. They discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine, the problems related to dramatic increase in irregular migration and the situation along the Western Balkan migration route, which is currently the main route for illegal migration to the EU.
"If we want to do something about the current increase in migration, we need to address the situation primarily at the EU's external border and work closely with countries of origin and transit," added Vít Rakušan. The conference is attended by ministers responsible for migration from the EU, Schengen area, Eastern Partnership, Western Balkans, Central Asia, Turkey, EU institutions and representatives of EU agencies.
By adopting a Joint Declaration and Action Plan at the end of the first day of the conference, the Ministers confirmed strengthening cooperation and partnership. The adopted documents reflect the cooperation to date within the framework of the Prague Process, but also the latest challenges in the area of migration. In the Joint Declaration, the Ministers endorsed, for example, the establishment of Migration Resource Centers in countries of origin. These centres should provide information on the risks associated with irregular migration, assist with vocational and language training and cooperate with local authorities to share best practices. The Action Plan 2023-2027 then presents six areas of cooperation for the Prague Process, which were identified at its inception. These relate to such as preventing and combating irregular migration, promoting readmissions and voluntary returns, legal labour migration, or strengthening capacities in the field of asylum and international protection. These six areas are developed into 53 concrete actions to be taken by the participating countries over the next five years over the next five years.
Prague Process
After 13 years, the Prague Process has returned to Prague, where it was established during the first Czech Presidency in April 2009. It represents an intergovernmental dialogue promoting migration partnerships between the participating countries. It currently involves 47 countries that represent a priority for the Czech Republic (especially the countries of the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership are a priority for the Czech Republic in the long term. Russia and Belarus were not invited due to the current political situation.
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