EU helps to turn migration into a positive force for development

TIRANA, Aug 3 – The EU funded project, “Support to the Implementation of the National Strategy on Migration,” marked its successful end last week after 30 months trying to strengthen the links between migration and development, as well as enhance the rights of Albanian migrants abroad.
Linking emigration of Albanians to the country’s development is a broad objective. It includes improving Albanian migrants’ image abroad, enhancing the Albanian diplomatic and consular services abroad, protecting the rights of Albanian emigrants, as well as mobilizing the Albanian communities abroad in order to maximize their contribution to the country’s development.
In the framework of this project, support was provided to the Government of Albania for the implementation of an effective migration, return and readmission system in compliance with EU and international standards. To sustain the achievements of previous assistance that resulted in the drafting of Albania’s National Strategy for Migration and its Action Plan, this project helped the implementation of that Strategy and Action Plan.
More concretely, the project supported the establishment of the permanent body for the monitoring and coordination of the National Strategy, the development of Albanian consular services in the main host countries of Albanian emigrants (Greece, Italy, Belgium, Germany), the conducting of training for the Albanian diplomatic service in the field of emigrants’ rights, the drafting of a practical manual on the implementation of migration legislation and much more.
An important and innovative initiative of this project is also the promotion of the involvement of the Albanian community living and working abroad in the development of the country. So, an information strategy on migrants’ rights and returnees has already been developed.
During the closing ceremony of the project, the European Commission Delegation Charg顤’Affaires, Garrido Ruiz, stated that, “Sustained efforts are needed to encourage legal migration, and to promote its benefits in terms of personal safety, productivity and human dignity. Of course, sufficient human and financial resources are necessary to guarantee continuous progress in the area of migration. It is therefore of capital importance that sufficient funds for this purpose are reserved in the national budget and that continuity of staff is ensured. Only in this manner will Albania head towards a successful implementation of an effective migration policy.”
Pointing to the many benefits that come from orderly migration, he also added that, “The clear link between orderly migration and visa liberalization cannot be neglected, and I would like to seize this opportunity to recall the European Commission’s firm commitment to visa liberalization for the citizens of Albania. We know how much visa-free travel means to them. We also believe that if progress continues apace, and all the conditions are fulfilled, Albania will soon catch up with its neighboring countries.”
The total amount of the project is one million euro and was co-funded by the Italian Government and the International Organization on Migration.