Promotion of “legal and orderly channels” is a priority for Portugal
“ONE promotion of legal and orderly channels for the promotion of safe migrations, in parallel with the development of a policy of reception and integration of migrants in our communities are priorities for Portugal”, said José Luís Carneiro, according to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs , in the Spanish city of Cádiz, at the VI Ministerial Conference of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development, known as the Rabat Process.
The Portuguese minister added, also according to the same note, that Portugal is not in the “line of countries that are most intensely impacted by the multiple migration crises that have occurred”, but “has pursued a policy of support for countries who are most directly affected by these phenomena, having already welcomed citizens through relocation programs from Greece, Italy and Malta”.
“Additionally, Portugal expressed its willingness to welcome refugee citizens, thus supporting third countries”, said José Luís Carneiro.
According to the minister, through relocation and resettlement programmes, Portugal welcomed more than 3,300 people.
“Portugal also understands that an adjusted approach and mutual tolerance of the agreements for the promotion of safe migrations, with the main countries of origin and transit of migratory flows, can contribute to the maintenance of the Euro-African dialogue, promoting cooperation in several areas “, he also said, at the meeting in Cádiz, which was also attended by the Secretary of State for Equality and Migration, Isabel Almeida Rodrigues.
The Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development group, known as the Rabat Process, was chaired in 2022 by Spain and at the Cádiz meeting, which ends on Wednesday, Morocco will assume the presidency of this forum, until the end of 2023.
In this VI Ministerial Conference of the Rabat Process, a new plan of action was approved for the period 2023-2027.
The Rabat Process, created in 2006, aims at cooperation between countries of origin, transit and destination of migrations.
57 partners are part of this forum: 29 European countries, 28 African countries, the European Commission and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The political declaration issued today from Cádiz and the action plan for 2023-2027 follow the principles of the previous ones, establishing five priorities: “maximize the positive impact of regular immigration for development and the fight against the root causes of illegal immigration”, “increase regular flexion and mobility”, “safeguard of international protection and asylum”; “prevention and effective reduction of illegal immigration, fight against trafficking in migrants and human beings”; “return, readmission and effective reintegration”.
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