EU opens migration office in Mali
The European Commission has opened an office in Mali to improve the management of migration. The Migration Information and Management Centre (CIGEM) is a pilot project that is to be copied in other West African countries.
The EU said the new office is aimed at providing a response to the migration phenomenon. It aims to help Mali come up with a migration policy that addresses the concerns of potential migrants, returning migrants and Malians residing abroad.
Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, said that instead of demonising the migration phenomenon, it should be supported, structured and managed optimally as a positive human element for both Africa and Europe.
"The centre paves the way for managing migration flows more effectively and making greater use of the development opportunities provided by migration," he said during the inauguration of the centre.
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Joseph Dietrich
Oct 7th 2008, 00:49
But why in Mali?This might be of some benefit to Spain's Canary Isles but is of no benefit to the Mediterranean sea area.Besides,does the EU really need to open up a job center for Africans in Mali when all they do when they reach Europe is hustle,traffic drugs and generally sponge off the welfare systems of whatever EU country they decide to choose?
E. Gatts idea sounds quite reasonable.Kill two birds with one stone.
Denis Catania
Oct 6th 2008, 18:57
This is a good step foward towards humanity. We should open migration offices in Malta to help these illegal immigrants migrate to where they really wanted to go, and also help the Maltese from the burden of illegal immigrants.
D,Caruana
Oct 6th 2008, 18:18
Another way of encouraging unwanted immigration to Europe, an inland Frontex.
James Hamilton
Oct 6th 2008, 18:02
Whilst I appreciate and applaud any new initiative made by the EU to deal with the migration problem, I fail to see how setting up an office can pave the way for better managing migration flows.
Our main concern is illegal immigration, with emphasis on illegal.
Any potential bona-fide migrants can already go to the embassy of their choice and get all the necessary information that they may require if they wish to emigrate to an EU country.
This also applies to returning migrants who can go to their own embassy in the EU.
I'm obviously missing something here so I won't knock it, although I do get the impression that the new offices is to be used mainly for illegal immigrants.
E Gatt
Oct 6th 2008, 17:43
Good move.
Now how about opening a detention centre in Mali too, then transferring the illegal immigrants there and processing their applications at the EU migration office in Mali?