Together with the liberal counterparts from the Network of Arab Liberals (a regional association of Arab Parliamentarians and political parties) the ELDR representatives discussed the political and security dimension, the socio-economic and developmental dimension as well as human rights and humanitarian issues.

Within the framework of ELDR's political focus on the challenges of demographic change the topic of migration is of utmost importance. European Liberals therefore welcome the joint statement adopted in Morocco calling on the Liberals of both sides of the Mediterranean to intensify this dialogue in order to foster inter alia development, education, democracy and human rights in countries of origin and to raise awareness amongst prospective immigrants regarding labour market needs, legal, social and cultural issues related to immigration.

Read the full statement below:

Joint Statement between Network of Arab Liberals (NAL) and European Liberal Democrats Party (ELDR)

Regarding the Issue of Immigration

We, Liberals from Europe and the Arab world,

• Sharing liberal values of equality, respect for human rights, democracy and common humanity;
• Having realised the shared concerns and the numerous challenges that we face including:
  • continued regional conflicts that threaten our security and well-being and restrict the natural development, prosperity and opportunity;
  • pollution and environmental issues that threaten our well-being and sustainability;
  • educational issues, poverty and economic crisis that threatens social development and individual liberties;
  • xenophobia, extremist forces and lack of inter-cultural dialog that undermines integration and gender equality.

Believe that:

• Immigration is a natural phenomenon and has contributed to the progress of human civilization, especially when globalization has in the last few decades increased mobility across borders;
• Yet, massive rates of immigration beyond the ability of one society to successfully integrate the new comers, may pose many problems at local levels.

And further believe that effectively facing these challenges requires continued cooperation between both sides on the Mediterranean on the issues of immigration, and have convened in Rabat on 27^th March 2010, having deliberated the issues, agreed to the following joint recommendations:

• Emphasise the importance of protecting the human rights of migrants;
• Call upon European States to balance between security considerations and issues of development;
• Cooperation between European and Arab States in order to develop legal channels of immigration and raise awareness amongst prospective immigrants regarding labor market needs, legal, social and cultural issues related to immigration;
• Call on Arab countries and other countries of origin to focus on the issues of development, education, democracy and human rights creating opportunity and hope for their people;
• The need to work diligently on the just resolution of the Arab-Israeli Conflict;
• Call on the Liberal Parties in Europe and the Arab world to spread liberals values which truly provide lasting solutions for problems related to migration, radicalisation and spirit of conflict, giving way to common understanding, tolerance and cooperation;
• Call on Mediterranean countries to work towards realising the Union for the Mediterranean Initiative and other projects for cooperation and mutual development.