Visit to South Eastern Europe by MARRI Chairman Soren Jessen-Petersen, 6-10 October 2003

The Chairman of the Migration, Asylum Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI), Mr. Soren Jessen-Petersen, accompanied by Mr. Anders Westerberg, Head of the MARRI Secretariat in Vienna, Mr. Kilian Kleinschmidt, Head of Service, L.O. Brussels, and Alex Talmon-Larmee, the SP/MARRI Housing Coordinator, traveled to Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro on a working visit to discuss the implementation of the MARRI Programme of Action and particularly the establishment of the proposed Regional Forum on Migration and Asylum. This visit completed the tour of the region by the MARRI team, started in June of this year with the visit to Serbia & Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia &Herzegovina.; The Chairman met with Government leaders and Ministers, Representatives of International Organizations and Embassies and received full support for the activities of MARRI.

Interlocutors agreed to the importance to move ahead in this matter in the context of the Thessaloniki summit declaration and EU agenda for implementation for the Western Balkans. Mr. Jessen-Petersen discussed and received general agreement for the concept of a Regional Forum as suggested in the recent meeting of the Nordic Cooperation Process and to which the five Western Balkan states had been invited. Most interlocutors stressed the importance of a clear linkage of such a platform for regional cooperation to the SEECP in order to politically carry the MARRI agenda and allow for implementation of the Programme of Action. It clearly transpired however through the discussions with all three governments, that regional structures had to be supported by effective national inter-ministerial cooperation mechanisms. These were considered necessary by all not only due to the wide scope of the MARRI themes, but also in view of current inevitable shortcomings in intra-governmental communication.

The chairman again sought feedback on the MARRI concept of looking at refugees and, displaced persons as citizens of the region, regardless of origin or status, and thus qualifying for non-discriminatory access to rights, social and economic opportunities, allowing for unrestricted freedom of movement. Although not too much an immediate issue in Macedonia and Albania, this idea was seen to be most interesting and the way to regional stability, normalization and EU accession.

Similar concerns, as during the previous mission, were voiced by some international representatives based on the perception that MARRI would develop or carry out activities in isolation, or which were already underway under various programmes such as CARDS or under bi-lateral assistance projects in the field of border management, visa policy, asylum and migration. This misperception was clarified yet again as the whole process of developing the Programme of Action had been highly consultative, involving the key actors from SEE, the EU and non-EU states and International Organizations on Headquarters and Capital level.

Macedonia ­ Skopje 6-8 October

Minister of Interior, Mr. Hari Kostov, welcomed the proposal for a Regional Forum on Asylum and Migration issues. He stated that regional cooperation was crucial in this regard and surprisingly good results had been achieved in the field of organized crime through enhanced police cooperation. Border management was a priority for the Government of Macedonia and discussions for assistance and cooperation by Slovenia were underway. The process of transition from military to civilian border management under the responsibility of the MoI had begun and would be completed by the end of next year. Regarding tensions and the most recent incident in Pistula he expressed concern over the youth problem, linked to the high unemployment rates.

Congratulating Macedonia for its National Action Plan on Migration and asylum Mr. Jessen-Petersen, explained the SP role in the Ochrid follow-up process, which would review the progress made in early November. He thought that the approach of moving to a concept of access to rights would assist in neutralizing separatist forces in the region.

In the meeting with Minister of Justice Mr. Ismail Darlista, the importance of the Rule of Law in line with EU acquis and the Thessaloniki Agenda for the Western Balkans was stressed by both sides. Legalization had to be compatible and adjusted regionally in order to allow for successful national action. The Minister informed that his office had been working on a range of laws such as the law on citizenship, which now allowed for foreigners to acquire citizenship after 8 years of residence, instead of 15. This requirement had even been lowered to 2 years for citizens of the former Yugoslavia. Both agreed that freedom of movement within the region had to be achieved through an easing of the visa requirement where still existent. In this regard the chairman was informed that a number of Bulgarian citizens and other nationalities were moving to Macedonia in the search of work. The Minister fully supported the concept of the regional forum

In a discussion in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with State Secretary Mr. Igor Djundev, the former and the new national SP Coordinators and a range of high level officials the proposed Regional forum, the follow up on Ochrid and freedom of movement were discussed. The State Secretary stated that Macedonia was a staunch advocate of regional cooperation and that the Stability Pact had its role to play in facilitating this dialogue. This was now well understood in the region following the initial misperception of the Stability Pact. The visa liberalization issue was high on the regional agenda, but there were strong voices of concern that this would raise the walls toward the EU. Both agreed that there had to be openings to the EU as a pre-condition for this debate to progress. As regards the Ochrid follow up Mr. Djundev informed that 2 border crossings had been opened to Kosovo, but enquired how MARRI could be supportive to the next steps. Macedonia was prepared to host the follow up to the conference should this become necessary.

In a meeting with Minister for Transport and Communication (Housing), Mr. Milaim Ajdini, it was agreed that the SP/MARRI Housing Coordinator and the Office of the Minister would cooperate on technical level to address the prevailing problems as regards affordable housing, illegal settlements and Public Private partnerships. For housing development, state owned land could be used for the legalization and also development of new housing schemes.

Mr. Jessen-Petersen further met with the representatives of the OSCE, Mr. Craig Jenness, the UNHCR representative Ms. Cathy Walker and the HoM IOM Mr. Pasquale Lupoli to discuss their assessment of the situation and the programmes and involvement of the respective organizations in MARRI. A dinner was hosted with representatives of NATO, the EU, US, Norway, CH and other organizations and embassies.

Albania- Tirana 8-9 October

In a meeting with the Secretary General of the MFA, Mr. Spiro Koci and high officials, full support toward the goals of MARRI and appreciation for the good cooperation with Albania were expressed. Both discussed the implications of the SAA as the varying levels of negotiations may result in creating difficulties as regards bi-lateral and regional cooperation. Border security had to be balanced versus human security, as freedom of movement was crucial to regional development. In this regard the SG stressed the issue of free trade agreements, which required easy transborder movements in order to succeed. The proposed regional forum was very important, but had to be supported through stronger in-country coordination to achieve synergies and better resource management according to the SG. Besides being ready to host any operational structures linked to MARRI and the regional forum, Albania also offered to host the Ochrid follow up meeting if required.

In the ensuing meeting with the Deputy Minister for Public Order, Mr. Thomas Jano, the progress in the NAP was discussed. He thanked the chairman for having secured the Dutch support as leader of the country team and informed that a Dutch expert had begun working on the plan. There were various activities already underway and had to be integrated into the NAP particularly as regards the national strategy on integrated border management.

Mr.Jessen-Petersen welcomed the efforts made by the Government of Albania together with key international actors. He referred to his correspondence on the Regional Forum and hoped that a coordinated positive response would be given.

The chairman then briefed the Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Sokol Hazizi on the PoA and stressed the importance of the Rule of Law and the harmonization of the legal framework with the neighboring countries in region in the context of MARRI. The Deputy Minister informed about the progress made in adopting the asylum law, and the work in progress on the law on citizenship and the law on foreigners. He agreed that regional cooperation was of utmost importance to address asylum and migration issues. Mr.Soren Jessen-Petersen reminded that statelessness was to be avoided for the remaining refugees in the region and said that he hoped that Albania would adhere to the idea of ensuring non-discriminatory access to rights to all citizens of the region regardless of their status.

Ms. Ermelinda Meksi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Integration, thought that the regional voice had to be strengthened in view of the EU integration process. Access to EU structural funds had to be facilitated. The role of the Stability Pact as a facilitator in the accession process and regional cooperation had become even more important now that SEE had received very clear signal from the EU. A number of issues such as re-admission agreements were problematic and required further negotiations and reflection. She welcomed and thanked for the efforts of MARRI in fostering attention to some of the most important issues in the context of EU accession.

Finally the Chairman met with Mr. Spartak Gjini, General Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in which the recently signed agreement with IOM on migration management and its implementation were discussed besides the need for intra-governmental coordination. Now that there were activities in asylum, migration and border management underway coordination had become even more important.

IOM HoM Maurizio Buzatti and UNHCR Representative Ms. Marion Hoffmann briefed the visitors on the situation and respective activities. Acting Foreign Minister Mr. Luan Hajdaraga hosted a dinner for the guests, attended by Ambassadors of Germany, Denmark, Italy and representatives of international organizations.

Montenegro ­ Podgorica 9-10 October

Mr. Filipovic, Minister of Interior received Mr. Jessen-Petersen for an exchange of the proposed Regional Forum and briefed the delegation on the status of activities in the context of MARRI. The visa regime had been completely liberalized with the exception of Turkey. Border control was now being taken over by the police and the process would be completed by November. In this context he raised the fact that the Albanian side of the border was not protected at all. Education and training of border police was still a problem and had to be addressed, but German experts from Bavaria would be conducting training soon. Discussions with UNHCR on the establishment an asylum reception center with a capacity of 60-100 persons were underway as the former federal center was now under the control of Serbia. Regional cooperation on police matters was functioning well. The Minister regretted that he had not been able to attend the meeting in Copenhagen but fully supported the Regional Forum. He also informed that CARDS had allocated 2 Mio Euro and 4.5 Mio Euro from the US for programmes linked to MARRI the PoA.

The Minister of Justice Mr. Zeljko Sturanovic referred to Meeting of the SEE Ministers of Justice and Interior held prior to the Thessaloniki summit, in which regional cooperation and standards were agreed to. He was please to report that since the constitutional changes had finally been adopted, the necessary legal amendments and new legislation had become possible at last. Citizenship issues could now be addressed on republican level. A thorough reform of public administration was now underway and he expected the reforms, leading to a new governmental organizational structure to be completed by the end of 2004. Accountability of the State had to improve and supervision, monitoring of the institutions had to be clarified and be made fully transparent. Government coordination had to improve. Slovenian and Austrian experts were now providing support in carrying out this reform in line with EU standards for public administration.

He thought that many if not most key issues had a regional dimension and that legislation and implementation instruments had to be compatible, referring as one example to the ombudsman system where joint efforts with other countries were now underway. Montenegro would be pleased to host the regional forum and participate most actively. His office would discuss the intra-governmental coordination mechanisms with the other Ministries and the Prime Minister’s office.

Regarding the NAP for Serbia and Montenegro the Minister thought that there were separate plans required to reflect the specific situation in each Republic, but thought that most elements of the draft federal NAP could be used. He would consult with Belgrade on this question but said that he had excellent relations with Minister Batic and there would certainly be no objection to establish separate plans, possibly with a joint introduction and cover. Montenegro however would proceed also without the agreement from Serbia, as this was too important to be delayed further.

Mr. Soren-Jessen Petersen then addressed the 7th Conference of Union of the Majors of South Eastern European Capitals prominently raising the importance of the inclusion of the urban poor, make housing affordable to all and the need to address the problem of illegal settlements.

UNHCR briefed the delegation on the key issue related to the refugee and DP situation. A national strategy would finally be prepared coordinated by the Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognosis under the auspices of the office of the Commissioner for refugees and an inter-ministerial taskforce.

The Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Djordje Scepanovic hosted a dinner for the guests attended by Mr. Dejan Bajic, National SP Coordinator.