Irregular Migration/Trafficking in Human Beings Irregular Migration/Trafficking in Human Beings
Completed Completed

Specific area: IMT - Irregular Migration, IMT - Return and Re-admission

Duration: April 2011 - July 2012

Experts involved: Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Poland


Description
Located between Europe and Asia, Azerbaijan is a transit route for trans-Eurasian and intercontinental traffic. It is a transit country for irregular migration and trafficking in human beings and, territorial conflicts with neighbouring Armenia have been responsible for major flows of asylum-seekers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). Traditionally an emigration country and a leading exporter of labour, recent economic growth in Azerbaijan is transforming the country into an increasingly attractive destination for immigration.

Based on this context, the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan requested support from MIEUX to enhance migration management with a focus  on the prevention and fight against irregular migration, and contribute to the development and improvement of the national migration legislation.

This Action contributed to an increasing understanding by the authorities in Azerbaijan on how the EU manages migration from crafting policies to developing legislation. It has also stimulated bilateral contacts and transfer of know-how at operational level in the area of migration and in an environment lacking other EU-funded initiatives.