Port Moresby, 02/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The ACP/EU Council, meeting on Thursday and Friday in Papua-New Guinea (see related articles), for the first time debated migration within the context of development, concentrating on two aspects: - mobility of human resources; - links between migration and development. This joint inaugural debate on a subject of common concern became a key element in the political dialogue between the EU and the 78 ACP countries linked to the EU through the Cotonou Agreement. Both parties acknowledged the benefits of migration to the exchange of knowledge and cultures, as well as the usefulness of exploring ways to best exploit the considerable potential of the diaspora in terms of contribution to the development of the countries of origin. The importance of better managing the supply and demand of legal workers and combating crime and trafficking networks was also re-stated by both parties. The usefulness of working in concert to prepare the UN high level conference in New York in September was also underlined. In the shorter term, the Europe/Africa conference on migration, to be held in Rabat in July will again bring the partners together to discuss this issue.
EUROPE will return in greater detail to EU/ACP Council discussions on migration.