On October 27, within the framework of the 34th meeting of the management staff of the European Migration Network (EMN), the head of the Migration Service of Armenia, Armen Ghazaryan, signed a document on joining the European Migration Network as an observer.
Aimed at supporting the development of policies related to the field of migration and asylum in the European Union, the organization cooperates with the EU member states and relevant bodies that are engaged in the field. According to the 2008 decision of the Council of the Network, the Organization has set a goal to meet the information needs of institutions in the field of migration and asylum and the authorities of member countries and to provide impartial, reliable, fresh and comparable information. It is also intended to be a source of reliable information for the general public.
Monique Pariat, Director General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, noted that the list of observer countries of the European Migration Network is expanding, which is gratifying, because in the light of the new migration situation, it becomes possible to adopt approaches aimed at effective migration management.
"The EMN mandate covers all aspects of migration management, including EU priorities, and successful cooperation in this area will increase the efficiency of managing migration flows in the future," she noted.
Head of Migration Service of Armenia Armen Ghazaryan noted that the EU-Armenia cooperation in the field of migration is active and multilayered, and close cooperation with the EU on migration issues is a priority for the Government of Armenia.
"Based on the mentioned experience and its positive impact, Armenia is trying to find additional ways to improve relations and cooperation with the EU. In this context, cooperation with the European Migration Network is important," he stressed, adding that joining the EMN provides an opportunity to receive up-to-date, reliable, objective and comparable information, which will be valuable for all interested parties in Armenia, making all EU’s expert experience on migration and asylum available.
"Not only Armenia will benefit from our membership, but also the EU. Additional data provided by a non-EU member state can contribute to a better understanding of the challenges of migration and asylum, especially regarding the region of the Eastern neighborhood of the EU," Armen Ghazaryan noted.
