Enhancing cooperation among the Prague Process states

News

Upon the invitation of the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality (MHSR) and the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade (MFET) of Malta, a Study Visit to this most southern Prague Process participating state was organised on 7-9 June.

Representatives of Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, North Macedonia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan had a chance to acquaint themselves with work of the Maltese migration authorities, the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), ICMPD’s Regional Office for the Mediterranean (RO MED) and the newly established Training Institute on Migration Capacity Partnership for the Mediterranean (TI MCP MED).

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February has resulted in the displacement of more than 14 million people, representing one quarter to one third of the entire population. Up to two thirds have been displaced internally with another 6 million people fleeing to neighbouring countries, mostly to the EU, but also Russia and Turkey. As of late March, following the withdrawal of Russia’s forces from the north and northeast, people also began returning.

The majority of the nearly 7 million Ukrainian refugees who have left their country since the outbreak of conflict in February 2022 are women who seek protection in neighbouring countries. Many of them are currently located in national capitals or large cities. Recent discussion on how to relieve the pressure on the infrastructure of these cities has focused on accommodating refugees in rural areas. 

The article prepared by Bernhard Perchinig and Jimy Perumadan highlights several important aspects regarding the integration of refugees in rural areas. It is also available in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

The war in Ukraine is having far-reaching repercussions on many countries around the world, including in Africa, where it is affecting food security, job markets and energy prices.

The article prepared by Veronika Bilger and Nesrine Ben Brahim investigates the early impact of the war on food shortages across Africa and what it could mean for displacement in the continent and beyond. It is also available in Russian and Ukrainian languages.

On 12-13 May 2022, Austria and the Czech Republic in its capacity of Prague Process Chair hosted the Prague Process Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Vienna. The SOM represented the second preparatory meeting for the fourth Ministerial Conference, scheduled for 24-25 October 2022. It gathered 79 officials from 26 countries, the European Commission, EU Council, EEAS, EUAA, Frontex, IOM, JCP and ICMPD.

The Prague Process panel discussion: ‘The War in Ukraine and its Implications for Migration in the Prague Process Region’ is taking place on 28 April 2022 at 10:30-12:30 CET.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, over 12 million people are estimated to have been displaced internally and internationally. The ongoing war has resulted in the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II and has direct implications for the trajectory and patterns of migratory movements in the Prague Process region. 

This Panel Discussion will assess the first two months of the war from a migration perspective. The panelists shall discuss the EU’s immediate response, as well as the current situation on the ground. Special attention will be given to the reception conditions under the Temporary Protection Directive and the prospects of successfully integrating the incoming refugees into societies and labour markets. The panel will also look into the wider migration implications across the Prague Process region, including those arising from the unprecedented sanctions imposed on Russia, which has constituted a key country of destination within the region. Finally, the event shall provide post-war migration scenarios, including the return prospect and its drivers, as well as the wider socioeconomic and demographic implications of the migratory movements experienced to date and expected in the future.

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