Mr. Chairman
First of all, allow me to thank today’s speakers for their interesting presentations. I would also like to thank the Chairs of the three Committees for conveying this Joint meeting on the issue of Migration.
1. Migration is a complex issue which draws today the world’s attention. Most of the considerations heard here today are not new, they have been mentioned before.
There will be a “before and after” 2015, in the same way as there was a “before and after” 2006, on the treatment of migration for some countries in the western Mediterranean Region.
Spain has a long experience on immigration. We learned to cope to the so-called crisis of the canoes in 2006 when more than 40,000 illegal immigrants arrived to Spain. We have promoted a comprehensive immigration policy: 1) Addressing issues in origin, transit and destination; 2) With a balanced approach, including issues of security, development, etc; 3) By signing readmission Agreements with many African countries 4) By analyzing the root causes of the problem and addressing them.
The Rabat process, driven from its origins by Spain, demonstrated the necessity and effectiveness of the collaboration of all affected countries. In this respect I would like to emphasize the importance of the Summit of Valletta on 11 and 12 November, under the Rabat Process (started in 2006) and Khartoum Process (started in May 2014) in connection with our African partners.
Also, bilaterally, Spain run a very active policy with the countries of North Africa, intensifying our presence in embassies, strengthening collaboration with local authorities on security and migration control, investing in local-level development communities to tackle problems in origin.
Our cooperation programs with Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal (memorandum of joint patrols, readmission agreements, etc...) have given excellent results.
There are some other highlights:
-The "Seahorse network project” for exchanging info via satellite between Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Cape Verde through contact points, or Mauritania.
-the Sahel West project (2011-2013) to encourage police cooperation with the countries of the Sahel, and
-the Blue Sahel project, recently launched under the Rabat process (at the April meeting in Lisbon) to prevent migration and other risks such as drug trafficking or terrorism, and that includes the creation of border patrols, police training courses, strengthening cooperation.
2. Mr. Chairman, the question for us now is what can we do here, at the OSCE, to address the issue and to try to contribute to the solution
We think we can act on two fronts:
a) Sharing ideas, experiences and best practices. It is a value in itself. It is one of the hallmarks of the OSCE and it could never be considered "duplication" of efforts.
We are confident that the seminar on Transnational Threats in the Mediterranean Region to be held in Avila in the next weeks, will contribute to enhance the OSCE role of dialogue platform in this field.
b) Identifying areas in which the Organization can add value to the solution:
In the first dimension, efforts could be focus on border management, law enforcement and counter-terrorism.
In the Human Dimension, the strengthening of contacts with other relevant international organizations and especially the possible assistance of the ODIHR in the management of refugee flows.
Also, socioeconomic aspects of migration can be treated in our discussions within the framework of the Second Dimension.
Finally, there are two aspects that deserve separated mention, as we think our contribution could be of great importance: Fight against trafficking of Human Beings and prevention of radicalization.
This must be done among Participating States and, certainly, with the Cooperation Partners, especially in these times, the Mediterranean Partners.
In this context, the next Mediterranean Conference in Jordan and the Ministerial Council in Belgrade offers us important opportunities for progress and the opportunity to adopt a new Decision on Migration.
3. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we are convinced that we can not face this mayor challenge alone, cooperation is essential. Spain is ready to share its experience with other countries; to respond to the emergency, as we have proved in responding with relocation and setting up emergency accommodation in the current crisis; and to engage on a calm and deep reflection on the way ahead.
The issue of migration has to be tackled as a whole, from a multidimensional point of view, regarding its importance as an economic, social and human factor, but also taking into account the security aspects on a national, regional and international level.
The OSCE, with its integral security approach, is particularly well prepared to substantially contribute to this reflection, along with its Decisions 2/05 from Ministerial Council on 5th December 2005 and 5/09 from Ministerial Council on 2nd December 2009.
Thank you