International colloquy on emigration adopts Tangier Declaration

An international colloquy on emigration that was held in the Moroccan northern city of Tangier this November 23-26 adopted the "Tangier declaration" that calls on host countries to adopt a new "humanist and comprehensive" approach in handling immigration-related issues.

The colloquy held under the topic "the Moroccan community settled abroad and human rights" recalled that the security approach adopted so far in immigration matters proved limited and unveiled that human rights are not always be respected.

The colloquy called on host countries to adopt a new approach based on a volunteer, humanist and comprehensive philosophy, on a larger participation in the development of the countries of origin and on the consolidation of the immigrants' integration in the host countries.

The Tangier declaration draws attention to the contradictions of globalization which imposes the lowering of barriers to the movement of capitals and goods and at the same time limits the freedom of movement of persons.

In a message to the colloquy, Moroccan premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi pointed out that Morocco is seeking in negotiations with his European partners a new style in handling the immigration issue. This style, he said, is based on the principle of co-development and the adoption of an approach oriented towards prevention rather than security and protectionist concerns.

More than 2 million Moroccans are currently settled in member countries of the European Union.