Mr Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The International Organization for Migration is closely associated with the Stability Pact process. This association is a natural one. Migration issues are a key factor in the search for stability, especially in South Eastern Europe. Regional cooperation models designed to achieve durable peace and stability should include migration management elements. As the intergovernmental lead agency in the field of migration, IOM is particularly well placed to facilitate regional activities on migration issues and to provide services to governments and migrants.

The Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact has invited IOM to launch a Cross-Table Migration Initiative (CTMI) within the framework of the Stability Pact. The first organisational meeting of the Initiative, co-chaired by the Stability Pact Office and IOM, took place on 28 March 2000 in Brussels. At this first meeting, approximately 40 participating delegations expressed strong support for the integrated migration approach proposed.

The CTMI is tasked with addressing migration management concerns of relevance across the subject matter of all three Working Tables of the Pact, as migration has a bearing on human rights, economic and security questions. Grouping the countries of the region, donor countries and international organisations, the Cross-Table Migration Initiative aims to coordinate international action and to stimulate and monitor projects and programmes in support of comprehensive migration management. A set of short-term and medium-term migration projects will be launched through the initiative. These projects address such diverse issues as labour mobility questions, trafficking in migrants – especially vulnerable groups like women and minors, migrant health, and capacity-building and technical cooperation.

IOM is also a member of the Refugee Return Initiative, chaired by Mr Hans Koschnick. Our experience in cross-border return operations and post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation programmes in support of sustainable return is of particular relevance to this initiative.

All IOM projects submitted to this conference have a regional component. Most can be launched immediately. These projects have been designed in close coordination with the governments of the region. IOM’s hands-on approach will guarantee short-terms results, quick impact and high visibility.