Istanbul – ESI at the Istanbul Security Conference: Enhancing EU-Turkey cooperation for humane migration control

25 April 2023
Photo: Twitter / Joseph Bahout باحوط
Photo: Twitter / Joseph Bahout باحوط

Gerald Knaus spoke at the annual Istanbul Security Conference (ISC), organized by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Turkey and Başkent University Ankara's Research Centre. The conference fosters dialogue, cooperation, and policy recommendations on security issues.

Gerald participated in the working group on "Changing climate – Changing demographies: The future of migration," moderated by Omar Kadkoy of TEPAV. The other speakers were Philippe Leclerc (UNHCR Turkey) and Gökçe Ok (Presidency of Migration Management, Turkey). They discussed migration management challenges, including rising nationalism, migrant integration, and EU-Turkey cooperation.

Gerald commended the 2016 EU-Turkey statement for its success in reducing irregular migration and improving refugee conditions in Turkey and praised Turkey's efforts in hosting over four million refugees and acknowledged the EU's support.

He emphasized the shared responsibility of the EU and Turkey to address migration challenges effectively and humanely. He called for renewed dialogue, suggesting more legal pathways for refugees, improved asylum and integration policies, and increased civil society and academia engagement in migration debates.

While in Istanbul, Gerald participated online in the IOM Regional Policy Coordinating Committee meeting for the South-Eastern European, Eastern European, and Central Asian Region. He emphasized the importance of humane and effective migration management, stressing the need for international cooperation and evidence-based policies.