On 26 October 2012 the delegation of IOM Moscow, headed by Director Zlatko Zigic, took part in the Third Meeting of Russia-EU Migration Dialogue on "Migration and Development", held in St. Petersburg.

The Russian delegation was headed by State-secretary – First deputy Head of the FMS of the Russian Federation, Ms. Ekaterina Egorova, co-chairs from the side of the European Union were Deputy Head of the Department of the European Commission Directorate-General for Home Affairs, Mr. Rob Rosenberg, and Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in St. Petersburg, Mr. Samouel Georgios.

The Russian side also was represented by experts of the Federal Migration Service of Russia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, Central Bank of Russia, as well as experts from the scientific and academic institutions and international organizations.

European side was represented by the representatives of the Member States of the European Union and the European Commission.

When issues of migrants’ remittances and migrants’ contribution to the economy of destination countries were discussed, the need to facilitate the development of mechanisms for remittances was highlighted.

When considering the issues of facilitation of integration of migrants, it was noted that the work in this area has dual character and concerns both migrants and the host society.

Return migration is a quite new topic for Russian side. In this session the Russian delegation heard with interest presentation of the Head of Voluntary Return Unit, FEDASIL, Brussels, Belgium, Mr. Peter Neelen and IOM Moscow Programme Manager, Mr. Pawel Szalus, about mechanism of Assisted Voluntary Return of migrants to their home country, widely used in the European Union countries.

At the end of the meeting the participants expressed their willingness to further constructive cooperation.

Based on the materials of the FMS Russia press-service