Armenian interior minister, ICMPD head discuss partnership, prevention of illegal migration

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Minister of Internal Affairs Vahe Ghazaryan met with Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), during his visit to Hungary. 

Armenia’s Ambassador to Hungary Ashot Smbatyan and the Director of the Migration and Citizenship Service of the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs Armen Ghazaryan also participated in the meeting. 

Attaching importance to the bilateral cooperation with the International Center for Migration Policy Development, Minister Ghazaryan expressed readiness to enhance the partnership, the ministry said in a readout. 

The minister underscored the active involvement of the International Center for Migration Policy Development in the work around building a new center for asylum seekers in Armenia, as well as the introduction of an electronic management system for citizenship affairs. 

Minister Ghazaryan presented the ongoing reforms in the ministry and attached importance to the role of international partners in the process, particularly the EU. 

He lauded the launch of visa liberalization talks with the EU as an “important achievement.”

The sides discussed issues pertaining to migration policy implementation, particularly management of migration flows, prevention of illegal migration and other areas.

Minister Ghazaryan invited Spindelegger to visit Armenia to participate in the opening of the new Center for Asylum Seekers.

The sides expressed readiness to continue productive partnership.