Improving legal migration and reducing illegal migration through a combination of comprehensive policy instruments and control mechanisms is the focus of an OSCE Conference that started in Prague today.

The event brought together more than 150 participants, representing Governments, international organizations, civil society and the business community. Participants discussed such issues as migration and economic development, environmental degradation and security, the protection of migrants, circular migration, border management co-operation and combating criminal activities related to migration.

"Economic and environmentally induced migration is becoming more pressing than ever, and there is a growing need to shape the appropriate policies to deal with the issue," said Theodoros Skylakakis, Secretary General for International Economic Relations and Development Co-operation in the Greek Foreign Ministry.

"Developing countries should learn from the mistakes of the developed world. They should address the challenges of the future, continuing the relevant reforms, in order to achieve a sustainable and environmentally friendly economic development."

Bernard Snoy, the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, added that the key prerequisites to achieve these common goals were "effective migration management, including good governance and bilateral and regional co-operation in the field".

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

The Prague conference is the first preparatory event for next year's 17th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum which will focus on "Migration management and its linkages with economic, social and environmental policies to the benefit of stability and security in the OSCE region". The Forum will be held in two stages - from 19 to 20 January 2009 in Vienna; and from 18 to 20 May in Athens. A second preparatory Conference is scheduled to take place early next year.

Source:http://www.osce.org/item/34394.html