Brussels, 10/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Delegates from more than 60 countries (including around twelve African countries represented at ministerial level), senior officials from donor countries and representatives for international organisations reached an agreement on Monday in Geneva for setting up an international work group for the voluntary repatriation and sustainable integration in Africa of almost two million African refugees. This agreement was reached at the high level conference, which introduced this theme and which was sponsored by the High Commission for Refugees at the United Nations (UNHCR). Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for development policy and humanitarian aid was also in Geneva with the full support of the Commission for this initiative and its wish to integrate this component into the development policy of the EU. "The reinstallation and reintegration (of refugees: Editor's note) should in the future constitute an element in the development strategies of each country", he said. Many of the conference contributors considered that constantly close international co-ordinated support for the global process of reintegration, rehabilitation and reconstruction of African societies torn apart by war, was the best way of guaranteeing that refugees and displaced persons could return and remain in their countries.
At the opening of the conference Ruud Lubbers, High Commissioner for Refugees, launched an appeal for support and international solidarity for breaking the cycle of violence, poverty and despair on the African continent and said that he was confident that peace initiatives and efforts for resolving the conflicts in nine African countries (Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo) would soon stimulate a massive return of refugees which would be one of the biggest of the past ten years. "Given the enormous potential in Africa for resolving long term conflicts, consolidating peace and ending the situations for refugees and displaced persons, whose status is becoming chronic, it is now time for the international community to get together and give its full support to this process" declared Lubbers, highlighting the crucial importance of close co-operation with the UNHCR, African countries and the humanitarian aid and development institutions for guaranteeing the success and sustainability of such an undertaking.