Abdelkader Messahel: “We Will Not Stop Illegal Immigration On Our Own”

Foreign Minister, Abdelkader Messahel, sent clear messages to the countries of the north-western Mediterranean sea, saying that Algeria and the countries of the South will not fight the phenomenon of clandestine immigration alone.

“Security approach alone would not be enough to address the phenomenon, unless it is accompanied by an economic and social approach to eliminate its causes”.

Foreign Minister, Abdelkader Messahel, apparently addressed his European counterparts in (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Malta), on Sunday, during his opening remarks to the 14th Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers, 5 + 5 Dialogue at the Conventions Center in Algiers, asserting that the security approach of southern countries of the Mediterranean to protect its northern countries from immigrants, proved its limited and expired role.

In this context, Abdelkader Messahel, explained that the phenomenon of clandestine migration must have a comprehensive approach among Western Mediterranean countries to address it, and that it must be based on economic partnership between the two shores, solidarity and respect for human dignity.

“Algeria, which was a transit country, is now a destination for immigrants from the neighboring Sahel countries. Therefore, we suggested that it is in everyone’s interest to agree on a common approach based on promoting economic partnership, solidarity and respect for human dignity”.

“Internal migration in Africa is due to the wars and armed conflicts, and it is far outweighs from that in the western countries of the Mediterranean sea”.

“The phenomenon of migration requires a comprehensive approach that takes into account the security dimensions to address the criminal cells that are associated with human trafficking, and the dimensions of development to eliminate the economic and social reasons in respect of human rights and international and regional conventions as well”.

On the Libyan issue, Messahel reiterated the rejection of the 5 + 5 dialogue countries for any foreign intervention. 

“The situation calls for active and constructive support for achieving one agenda, which lies in the comprehensive and just political solution that is sponsored by the United Nations away from all foreign intervention, and in support of the UN Special Representative In Libya, Ghassan Salama, to put an end to the crisis through a plan for political transition”.

“The American decision on Jerusalem is a dangerous step that will increase the obstruction in the peace process and represents a serious obstacle to the possibility of achieving stability and peace”.

He called on the 5 + 5 countries of the Western Mediterranean to renew support for respecting the relevant UN resolutions and calling for an immediate end to the annexation of the occupied territories, violations of human rights and the continued siege that is imposed on the Gaza Strip.

In a press conference following the closed-door meeting of FMs, Abdelkader Messahel said; “The challenges that we face today lead us to an inevitable partnership to confront the issues of terrorism and the possible return of ISIS fighters”.

The Minister for Europe and French Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, revealed that the initiative will launch a 5 + 5 financial dialogue and another initiative to prepare the region without giving details about it.