On the week of 25-30 September 2022, IOM Albania delegation and institutional partners held important discussions in the Netherlands and Belgium about recent migration-related dynamics and future prospects and met with Albanian diaspora in the two countries. 

The week started with a meeting with representatives of the Repatriation and Departure Service of the Ministry of Justice and Security in Hague, where we discussed about the progress of implementation of the “Arise ALL” project and broader migration related dynamics between the two countries.

The Closed Family Facility in Zeist, a detention centre with child-friendly facilities, where asylum seeking families with children and unaccompanied minors are supported in their preparations for return to the country of origin, was visited on the second day. This discussion was of particular importance, especially regarding the issue of unaccompanied minors. 

On the same day, valuable conversations were held with the Albanian Diaspora and the Albanian Embassy in the Netherlands. It helped us to get more information about the presence of the Albanian Diaspora in the country, and the importance of a mapping in order to understand the profile and their needs, even more.

During the discussion with the Diaspora was also emphasized the need for continuity of communication and community awareness, as well as for development projects with the engagement of the diaspora, in order to expand opportunities in Albania.

On the first day to Belgium, together with Albanian representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance and Economy, IOM had a meeting at the Directorate-General for Neighborhood & Enlargement Negotiations. The Albanian migration dynamics, as well as synergies with the Western Balkans countries and alignment with the EU accession, were highlighted in the meeting.

While at a visit to Belgian Immigration Office, we talked about irregular migration, the profile of the Albanian applicant seeking asylum, legal migration, and a broader management perspective.  

Namur is a Belgian city with longstanding and significant presence of Albanian Diaspora. We were welcomed by the Mayor of Namur, Mr. Maxime Prevot to whom we presented the Albania is YOU campaign and IOM efforts to prevent irregular migration and later we exchanged with the first generation of Albanian diaspora in Namur. 

“I would like to reach out to you from the Albanian diaspora. Because you too can help ensure that false rumors about Belgium are debunked. You too can help spread the right information about legal migration channels” – Ms. Nicole De Moor, Secretary General for Asylum and Migration of Belgium.

The week-long activities were concluded with a meeting with the Albanian Diaspora in Belgium at Maison Culturelle Belgo-Albanaise, where we were joined by Ms. Nicole De Moor, Secretary General for Asylum and Migration of Belgium.