Enhancing cooperation among the Prague Process states

News

The Regional Migration Outlook for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) presents an analysis of the key events and trends that shaped migration in the EECA region in 2022. Simultaneously, it offers a cautious outlook into areas and issues that may affect migration and mobility to, within and from the EECA in 2023. In a non-exhaustive way, the publication addresses developments in the twelve EECA countries (based on ICMPD’s regional division) – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The analysis is based on ICMPD’s regional expertise and desk research from official and public data sources.

Throughout 2022, the Prague Process Quarterly Review attempted to cover the key migration developments observed across the Prague Process region, however Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine stood out as a game changer. The unprecedented forced displacement from and within Ukraine, as well as other migration dynamics resulting from the war have been in the focus of our work. The ongoing fighting and continued Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may further intensify displacement, aggravate the gripping humanitarian crisis and increase the pressure on hosting communities both inside and outside Ukraine. The war has also forced hundred thousands of Russians opposing the regime’s political agenda or subject to military mobilisation to leave their country.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in March 2014, the subsequent armed conflict in the Donetsk and the Luhansk Regions and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, all resulted in a grave humanitarian crisis and considerable displacement within Ukraine. Whereas the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) levelled at approximately 1.5 million before 24 February 2022, it has quadrupled to 6.3 million by August 2022, with Ukraine losing control over nearly a quarter of its territory.

On 23 and 24 November 2022, the Prague Process participated in the fifth ICMPD International Border Management Conference held in Amman under the Patronage of the Minister of Interior of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Mazin Abdellah Al Farrayeh. The conference brought together some 150 participants from 26 countries, representing border management agencies, donor and international organizations, academia, the private sector, as well as 13 ICMPD offices.

The partial mobilisation that was announced in Russia in late September 2022 boosted migration from the country affecting primarily men of working age. Allegedly, anywhere between 300.000 to 700.000 persons left the country in a matter of a few weeks. Given the lack of direct flights and skyrocketing airfare, emigration on land was particularly pronounced. Our recent infographic summarises the situation depicting the most popular destinations and the anticipated impact on receiving states.

On 24-25 October, at the Fourth Prague Process Ministerial Conference, Ministers and high-level officials from the Prague Process countries endorsed a Joint Declaration and Action Plan 2023-2027, which shall sustain and expand the Prague Process cooperation in the coming years. Organised by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union in Prague, the conference allowed the Parties to discuss the most pressing migration issues and agree on a joint way forward in addressing them.

Page 12 of 40