The Senior Officials’ Meeting held in Chisinau on 24-25 September 2024 marked the 15th anniversary of the Prague Process. Bringing together representatives from 26 participating states, the European Commission, European Agency for Asylum, IOM, UNHCR, ICMPD and Joint Coordination Platform, the meeting allowed to jointly reflect on the achievements reached to date, as well as priorities and lessons learned for the future.
The senior officials underscored the Prague Process’ enduring significance as a targeted intergovernmental policy dialogue, enabling states to navigate evolving migration dynamics through cooperative and forward-looking strategies.
Mr. Adrian Efros, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, commended the Prague Process as an effective platform that has proven its usefulness through a wide array of projects and migration aspects covered. It has represented a strategic platform for sharing challenges and best practices while promoting safe borders and migrants’ rights. It has also proven steadfast in times of crises. Minister Efros emphasised the need to consolidate the joint efforts and enhance the resilience of the participating states due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Mr. Arnoldas Abramavičius, Vice-Minister of the Interior of Lithuania, emphasized the maturity of the Prague Process as an interactive forum for continuous learning. The increasing importance of international partnerships has also become evident in the context of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Simultaneously, migration has been overshadowed by security concerns as exemplified by the instrumentalization of migration by the Russian Federation and Belarus, which have become a threat to Europe as a whole. The Prague Process and its member states thus need to adjust through strengthened cooperation and coordination. The recent synergies with the European Migration Network (EMN) have constituted a step in the right direction.
ICMPD Director General Mr. Michael Spindelegger expressed the hope that the referendum in October and the presidential elections will confirm Moldova’s course towards the European Union. Acknowledging the broader implications of regional cooperation, he elaborated on the role of the Prague Process in addressing key migration needs:
'The Prague Process has covered a lot of ground to better promote labour migration, also as a way to cope with demographic ageing; and to enhance our joint capacity on analysis and research to help us understand what is going on in the world of migration and what might happen in the future.’ Michael Spindelegger, ICMPD Director General
The senior officials shared their priority needs and discussed the current state of play in migration policy and intergovernmental cooperation. Most delegates highlighted the concrete benefits provided by the Prague Process over the past 15 years and expressed their further commitment to it. Particular attention was then given to the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The meeting also addressed the ongoing implementation of the Action Plan 2023-2027. Presentations provided insights from the four Thematic Components and updates on the latest outputs of the Migration Observatory (MO) and Training Academy (TA). Established in 2018, the MO has produced over 60 analytical publications, generating over 300 policy recommendations on pressing migration issues. Concurrently, the TA has implemented a diverse array of training initiatives, including the most recent e-courses on integrated border management and human trafficking, aimed at capacity building of migration professionals. Participants emphasized the importance of continued practical collaboration and knowledge exchange for the joint benefit of the Parties.
