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EU/Budapest process: Conference on illegal migration

01 November 1997

On 14 and 15 October, the Interior Ministers of 32 European countries, the USA and Canada as well as representatives of international organisations discussed measures to combat illegal migration. This Conference of Ministers follows the Budapest process which was initiated by Germany with the Berlin conference on illegal migration in 1991 and the Budapest conference in 1993. One of the main objectives of the Prague conference has been the integration and support of east and central European countries in the fight against illegal migration and trafficking in human beings. The linkage between illegal migration and organised crime was emphasized by the participation of Interpol and the United Nations Commission of Crime Prevention. According to the Ministers, illegal migration and trafficking of people constitutes a threat to public security. The conference adopted 55 recommendations including prison sentences for illegal border crossings, harmonisation of visa policies and readmission agreements. In the future states refusing to readmit their citizens have to expect countermeasures. The recommendations are mainly aimed at countries of origin and transit. All the recommendations have already been implemented in Germany. The German delegation has campaigned successfully for compulsory country reports and the formulation of a timetable for the implementation of the recommendations.

die tageszeitung, 16.10.97; Recommendations and Conclusions of the Conference of Ministers on the Prevention of Illegal Migration, Prague, 14-15 October 1997.