Mr. Chairperson,
As this is the first time that my delegation is taking the floor during this session of the Commission on Population and Development, please allow me to congratulate you and the other members of the Bureau on your election and to thank you for the efforts put into organizing the 39th Session of the Commission. I would like to assure you of the full cooperation of my delegation during the 39th Session of the Commission.
As Croatia has already aligned itself with the statement of the European Union, I will limit my statement to the national policies of Croatia towards a coherent migration policy.
Croatia has drafted its Strategy on Migration as the first step towards a comprehensive migration policy. The strategy envisages steps towards strengthening institutional capacity to manage migration effectively within the framework of the alignment of national legislation with that of the European Union.
Croatia manages migration in accordance with principles of freedom of movement, solidarity and humanity, keeping in mind that migration has a positive impact on economic and social development. Further, Croatia is determined to ensure respect of human rights and freedoms, including migrants' right to seek and receive political asylum. Legal foreign immigrants are able to stay in Croatia either temporary or permanently with the issue of the enhancement of their social inclusion being a priority.
Migration flows impact on the economic, political and cultural life of society. As such the state seeks to balance migration by harmonizing it with the needs of the labor market, by stimulating the return of the Croatian Diaspora and by enabling migration for family reunification of Croatian citizens and emigrants from abroad.
Given the important role of scientists in development, the Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia and a group of prominent scientists have called on Croatian scientists abroad to promote and develop co-operation with their homeland, to propose joint international development projects and to assist in the education of young scientists from Croatia. At the same time, national institutions have been called upon to remove all barriers to such assistance and to pass laws that will enable the most effective co-operation possible between Croatian scientists living abroad and those at home.
Consideration is being given to the establishment of a single focal point for all migration policy activities to coordinate the work of all relevant intergovernmental organizations, local authorities and non-governmental organizations involved in specific segments of migration. One of our active partners is the Mission of the International Organization for Migration to Croatia with its main office in Zagreb and two sub-offices, which at present implements some fifteen projects and is involved in a number of regional initiatives.
Like many other countries, Croatia is also affected by the problem of human trafficking. It actively participates in all international activities pertaining to the suppression of trafficking in persons and has a comprehensive and effective system to suppress human trafficking which is victim-centered.
National legislation on migration in Croatia is a work in progress.. There are amendments planned, particularly in the fields of migrants' education, social welfare and health protection. Special attention will be given to the regulations that enhance the inclusion of migrants within Croatian society.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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