Reform of Migration Policy in Ukraine discussed at the round table

6 June 2007

On 5 June 2007, the Ukrainian-European Policy and Legal Advice Centre (UEPLAC) organised expert’s round table "EU and Ukraine - reform of migration policy", which took place in the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Director of the State department on harmonization of the legislation of the Ministry of Justice, Ms. Olena Zerkal, stated that the establishment of unified state service in Ukraine is foreseen by the EU-Ukraine plan, which is planned to be approved on 18 June 2007 in Luxemburg. At the present, migration issues in Ukraine are covered by various authorities depending of the mandate - the State Committee for nationalities and religions, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of labour and social policy, Ministry of foreign affairs and State Border service.

The European side emphasized that it was necessary to establish in Ukraine consolidated body for efficient solution of present issues in the state. International experts, among whom where IOM and leading researchers, shared relevant experience on regulation of the mentioned issues in European countries.

During the session the draft Concept of state migration policy of Ukraine was presented. As it was asserted by Ms. Natalya Naumenko, the deputy head of the department of migration policy and perspective planning of the SCNR, the priorities in this direction are harmonization of the national legislation on migration, refugees, citizenship with European one, guarantee of rights and freedoms to migrants pursuant to the principles of the international law. The concept foresees minimization of the chaotic external labour migration of the citizens of Ukraine and establishment of the appropriate control. Moreover, the establishment of the automatic system of population registration by residence place, migration movements and different categories of migrants is obligatory.

Attached is a draft document of the Concept of state migration policy in Ukrainian only.