8^th Conference of European Ministers responsible for migration affairs

The 8th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for migration affairs will take place in Kyiv (Ukraine) on 4-5 September 2008. The theme of the conference is Economic migration, social cohesion and development: towards an integrated approach.

The conference theme reflects the diversity of interest of member states of the Council of Europe and highlights the need to develop an integrated policy approach in addressing current and emerging migration issues. Furthermore, it will pursue one of the objectives set by the 7th conference of European Ministers responsible for migration affairs (Helsinki, September 2002), namely to strengthen the dialogue and partnership between member states on migration issues.

The conference will provide an opportunity for ministers to debate and agree on policy solutions relevant to the conditions prevailing in their countries and stemming from the increasing flows of economic migrants, in particular, East to West and within the Eastern region of Europe.

In the context of economic migration, the conference will discuss how governments in the member states have responded in order to preserve social cohesion and identify how policies in this field can be improved.

The conference will examine the link between economic migration and development from the perspective of both countries of origin and destination as well as the impact of emigration on development.

Ministers from the member states of the Council of Europe competent for migration affairs, integration of migrants and community relations will participate in the conference. Ministers from several non member states having observer status with the Council of Europe (Australia, Canada, Holy See, Japan. Mexico and USA) or involved in co-operation with member states on the themes of the conference (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cape Verde, China, Congo, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal. Tajikistan. Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan) have also been invited to take part together with the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and other international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The conference will allow ministers and other participants to meet outside the official meetings and have informal contacts.

An issue paper will set out the questions for debate during the conference. A final declaration will be adopted at the end of the conference. Other papers for the conference will include a report on the general theme of the conference and an evaluation of the activities and measures undertaken by member states and the Council of Europe since the last ministerial conference (Helsinki, 2002).

The final declaration will give guidance to developing effective policy responses to current and emerging migration issues by the member states and the Council of Europe and strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of migration.