Activities of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 1998-2002
Recommendation 1607 (2003)

Doc. 10038
24 January 2004

Reply from the Committee of Ministers
adopted at the 869^th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (21 January 2004)

1.         The Committee of Ministers has taken note with interest of Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1607 (2003) on the activities of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 1998-2002.  It has brought the recommendation to the attention of member states and has communicated it to the European Committee on Migration (CDMG), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB).

2.         The Committee of Ministers joins the Parliamentary Assembly in recognising the importance of the IOM in its field of action. It notes that of its 45 member states, 41 either enjoy full membership or observer status within the IOM.

3.         The Committee of Ministers also agrees with the Parliamentary Assembly that close co-operation between the Council of Europe and the IOM should be continued.  The promotion of synergy between the Council of Europe and other international organisations is a constant concern of the Committee of Ministers. The Committee of Ministers notes with satisfaction the active participation of IOM representatives in the meetings and activities of the European Migration Committee (CDMG) and that this co-operation has already resulted in tangible results with the development of the Council of Europe’s migration management strategy (“Towards a Migration Management Strategy” 2000).  Fuller co-operation with IOM is envisaged in the implementation of this strategy through its participation in the newly established Political Platform of the Council of Europe on migration.  At its first session (Rotterdam, 10 December 2003), the Political Platform held a detailed exchange of views between government representatives from countries of origin, transit and destination including selected countries from Africa and Asia on how to improve the development and delivery of information addressed to potential migrants on the channels for legal migration.

4.         The CDMG has developed considerable experience in the field of integration and the promotion of diversity and cohesion as well as in the legal status of migrants. IOM has participated in this work as an observer to CDMG and continuing co-operation with IOM in these fields is welcomed.

5.         The Committee of Ministers draws the attention of the Parliamentary Assembly to the work of CDMG on the connection between migration and development.  This was the second theme of discussion at the first session of the Political Platform. In 2003 CDMG also approved publication of a report which addresses these issues, entitled “Preventing illegal immigration: juggling economic imperatives, political risks and individual rights”.

6.         The IOM was also recently given observer status with the Ad hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) which is currently drafting a European Convention against trafficking.

7.         The Governing Board of the Council of Europe Development Bank has examined the recommendation and its comments are appended to this reply.

Appendix

CEB comments on Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1607 (2003) on activities of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

1.         The Governing Board took note of Recommendation 1607 (2003) of the Parliamentary Assembly and in particular paragraph 7 i) recommending that the Committee of Ministers instruct the Council of Europe Development Bank to study the possibility of co-funding joint projects with the IOM.  Under Article II of the Articles of Agreement of the Council of Europe Development Bank, the Bank’s primary purpose is to help in solving the social problems with which the European countries are or may be faced as a result of the presence of refugees, displaced persons or migrants consequent upon movements of refugees or other forced movements of populations. Between 1956 and 2002, the CEB financed aid projects for refugees and migrants amounting to 4.3 billion euros.

2.         The CEB considers cooperation with other International Financial Institutions and multilateral organisations as a key element to enhance its development impact and ensure the best use of resources and is actively working with financial and intergovernmental partners in order to co-financing projects and to exchanging good practices.  In the area of migration and population movements, the CEB has been cooperating with the UNHCR for several years and sees the IOM as a partner, taking into account the complementarities between the two institutions.  The CEB and the IOM have a shared interest in developing cooperation in order to identify projects in favour of migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons which incorporate a social dimension.  Periodic contacts with the IOM at different levels are held in order to exchange information and best practices.  Contacts are also underway with a view to enhancing current cooperation activities and to make it possible for the CEB to coordinate efforts, considering the IOM’s expertise on the field and networks of contacts, thus helping member states identify and instruct migration related projects that are suitable for CEB financing.