European Migration Network (EMN) Conference 2014
Irregular Migration and Return:
Challenges and Practices
12-13 June, 2014, Athens, Greece
(“Gazarte”, 32-34 Boutadon Street, Gazi, near the Metro Station: “Keramikos”)
| June 12, 2014 | |
| 09.00-09.45 | Registration and welcoming refreshments |
| 09.45-10.45 | Welcoming of participants, setting the scene and introductory remarksTrends and challenges in irregular migration management, especially in southern Europe, latest perspectives and developments in policies and measure to ensure effective return policies, including cooperation on return practices, readmission, reintegration measures, role of re-entry bans, detention an and alternatives, and how these work together in practice. Chairperson: Dr. Angelos SYRIGOS, Secretary General of Population and Social Cohesion, Ministry of Interior, Hellenic RepublicKey Note Presenters:ê Opening Speech / Presentation Ioannis MICHELAKIS, Minister of Interior, Hellenic Republicê Title of presentation (tbc) Nikolaos DENDIAS, Minister of Public Order and Civil Protection, Hellenic Republic ê EU Return Policy. ê Title of presentation (tbc) |
| 10.45-11.15 | Coffee break |
| 11.15-13.00 | Panel I. EU cooperation for effective return: challenges and practices in cooperation measuresChairperson: Patroklos GEORGIADIS, Secretary General of Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Hellenic RepublicMain questions: How do Member States cooperate to ensure effective returns? What has worked best in practice? What have been the main benefits to cooperation? How is voluntary return encouraged and supported? How / have entry-bans contributed to effective returns? What are the lessons for future policy making?Discussantsê Voluntary return: lessons learned and good practices Fabrice LEGGERI, Director, Ministry of Interior, France (tbc)ê Cooperation amongst Member States: challenges and lessons learned Klaus ROESLER, Director of Operations Division, Frontex ê Entry-bans in practice and their contribution to effective return Questions / discussions |
| 13.00-14.30 | Lunch |
| 14.30-15.30 | Panel II. EU cooperation for effective return: the external dimension – readmission and cooperation with countries of transit and originChairperson: Elizabeth Collett Director of MPI-Europe and Senior Advisor to MPI’s Transatlantic Council on MigrationMain questions: Which instruments do the EU’s external relations offer to ensure effective returns and the cooperation of third countries? What have been the main challenges with regard to the negotiation and implementation of EU readmission agreements? What has been the impact of initiatives developed in recent years within the framework of the EU Global Approach to Migration and Mobility to support the conclusion and implementation of EU readmission agreements as well as the need for cooperation from third countries more broadly on return, readmission and reintegration? How to strengthen bilateral or regional dialogues with countries of transit and origin to enhance their authorities’ capacity to manage migration flows and for addressing the challenges linked to return and readmission?Discussantsê Cooperation with countries of transit and origin: Perspectives on challenges, impacts and lessons learnedDr. George KARIPSIADES, Legal Counsellor, Legal Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republic
ê Developments in EU readmission policy Perspectives on challenges, impacts and lessons learned Pawel BUSIAKIEWICZ, DG Home Affairs, European Commission
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| 15.30-16.00 | Coffee break |
| 16.00-17.00 | Panel II. EU cooperation for effective return: the external dimension – readmission and cooperation with countries of transit and origin, continuedê Case study: EU Readmission Agreements with Turkey and Pakistan Perspectives on challenges, impacts and lessons learnedStavros TSIEPAS, Minister Plenipotentiary, Director, C4 Directorate, Justice, Home Affairs – Schengen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hellenic Republicê Case Study: EU Readmission agreements with third countries Senior representative, Home Office, United Kingdom (tbc)Questions / discussions |
| June 13, 2014 | |
| 09.00-10:30 | Panel III.Incentives for return and reintegrationChairperson: Dr. Péter Stauber, Head of Department, Ministry of Interior, Hungary.Main questions: How are reintegration measures determined? How do pre-departure reintegration measures work alongside reintegration measures in countries of origin, and how do these improve effectiveness? What levels of support are available and how are these decided? How sustainable are reintegration measure in reducing irregular migration?Discussantsê Overview and perspectives on reintegration: good practices and lessons learned Daniel ESDRAS, Head of Office, Office in Greece, International Organization for Migrationê Findings from the EMN study “Good practices in the return and reintegration of irregular migrants: Member States’ entry bans policy and use of readmission agreements between Member States and third countries”. Olivier BERGEAU, DG Home Affairs, European Commission ê Overview and perspectives on reintegration: ê Over view and perspectives on reintegration: Questions / discussions |
| 10.30-11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11:00-12.30 | Panel IV. Alternatives to detention: balancing risks and fundamental rightsChairperson: Diane SCHMITT, Head of Unit, DG Home Affairs, European CommissionMain questions:Why and to what extent is detention used as opposed to alternatives to detention? What are the costs / benefits of different models? How are risks assessed against reducing the negative impact on the fundamental rights of migrants (“win-win scenario”) made by applying alternatives to detention?Discussants: ê Findings from the EMN study “Detention and Alternatives to Detention” Magnus OVILIUS, DG Home Affairs, European Commission ê Fundamental Rights Agency perspective, respecting rights and meeting the needs of vulnerable groups ê Alternatives to detention, an NGO perspective ê Good practice case study ê Good practice case study Riikka ASA, EMN NCP, Finland Questions / discussions |
| 12.30-12.45 | Closing remarks:Dr. Angelos SYRIGOS, Secretary General of Population and Social Cohesion, Ministry of Interior, Hellenic Republic |
| 12.45-14.00 | Lunch and departures |
Theodoros Fouskas 