Deputy Interior Minister reviews efforts against illegal migration at int’l conference in Brussels

Georgia’s Deputy Interior Minister Aleksandre Darakhvelidze on Tuesday reviewed measures taken by the country’s authorities against illegal migration at the International Conference on a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, hosted in Brussels.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs on Thursday said Darakhvelidze highlighted illegal migration as “one of the fastest-growing challenges” for the world, and reviewed the country’s efforts to combat it including legislative changes, “effective activity” of the network of police attachés, “fruitful cooperation” with the European Union bodies Europol and Frontex, and “effective implementation” of Readmission Agreement with the EU.

He emphasised the Ministry's readiness to further strengthen ties with partners in law enforcement to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling.

The official also noted Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration was one of the “main priorities” for the country’s Government, and extended his gratitude to the European Commission for its recommendation for the country to be granted the EU membership candidate status.

The Deputy Minister confirmed readiness of both the Ministry and the Government to fulfil priorities set out by the Commission for the status.

The Conference was opened by Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, who called on governments to strengthen their efforts to prevent illegal transportation of migrants and tighten response measures.