Irregular Migration in the CIS and the Baltic States [antikvár]

CHAIRMAN'S PREFACE 1. We present in this report the statements given at the Regional Seminar on Irregular Mi- gration which was arranged in Kyiv on 27 - 29 January 1997. The seminar was part of the "Comprehensive Programme" implemented by IOM/Helsinki, but must also be seen as a re- gional follow up of the global IOM seminar on Trafficking in Migrants which was arranged in Geneva in November 1994. We also hope that it will prove useful in the follow up process of the CIS Conference which took place in Geneva in May 1996 and in which IOM is also heavily involved. 2. The aim of the seminar was to give senior level migration control officials an opportunity to discuss practical solutions to combat irregular migration at both the national and the re- gional level, and to network internationally with colleagues from neighbouring countries with the aim of developing a basis for the future political decisions which need to be taken. 3. The seminar brought together some 65 participants from 12 countries ( Armenia, Belarus, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, the Russian Federation, Ukraine and the USA) and intergovernmental organisations (ILO, UNHCR, EU and IOM) as well as experts from several European countries. 4. This report consists of papers submitted by guest speakers. The rapporteur of the seminar, Mr. Thomas Tass from the IOM Technical Co-operation Centre has produced an excellent report, which is part of this publication. The national presentations which we have received in writing have been included as annexes. 5. Our particular thanks go to the Government of Ukraine which kindly invited us to arrange this seminar in Kyiv, and our colleagues in IOM/Kyiv whose efforts were quite decisive for our ability to implement this event. 6. The press conference on the Seminar results was held at the UNIAN on 29 January, 1997 at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Tomas Tass, Senior Programme Officer, IOM Technical Cooperation Centre, Mr. Petteri Vuorimaki, Coordinator for the CIS and Baltic States, Regional Bureau for the Europe and North America IOM Geneva, Mr. Nicolaas de Zwager, Head of Office, IOM Kyiv, Mr. Oleg Shamshur, Deputy Chairman, State Committee for Nationalities and Migration and Mr. Pavel Shisholin, first Deputy Chairman, State Border Guard Committee took part in this press conference. Journalists and reporters from 9 Ukrainian periodical, informational agencies and 6 foreign, including WS, Deutsche Presse were present. Mr.Oystein Opdahl, Regional Representative, IOM Helsinki, Finland