They discuss migration issues on Rhodes – the representative of the Netherlands urges not to take their path.
“If an official is corrupt, it doesn’t matter a representative of which nation he sells out to. It doesn’t mean that the ‘buyer’ is to blame,” Aram Sargsyan, the leader of the Democratic Party of Armenia (DPA) and the head of the Armenian delegation, said during a round-table discussion on migration issues at the forum called Dialogue of Civilizations on the Greek island of Rhodes in response to an observation of Pavel Serdyuk, a priest representing Belarus, that Caucasian immigrants tried to solve their problems at any cost importing their “bad morals” to the country they were in. This debate started after Zhanna Zayongovskaya, an expert representing the Russian Federation, had made a remark that the rights of immigrants were violated in the Russian Federation. The lady thinks that the very reason why the number of Caucasian immigrants in Russia has decreased is that they are not treated well. Generally, she is against emigration from the former Soviet countries to the Russian Federation, particularly “brain drain,” emigration of intellectuals, since she thinks that it will eventually lead to a situation, where her country borders will become open. She has applied to competent government officials regarding that problem, but she hasn’t gotten any answer. The Russian expert is convinced that not only should the so-called “receiving countries” treat immigrants better, but also the donor countries should explain to their emigrants how they should behave. According to the lady, mutual respect will lead to solution of many problems. There was a rather heated discussion on this opinion, rather contradictory examples were given.
“We talk about the results all the time without seriously analyzing the causes,” Aram Sargsyan, the DPA leader representing Armenia, said in his speech. He is convinced that one should first solve the main problems causing migration – wars, low-quality system of government, which cause inequality, including social inequality. Aram Sargsyan shares the Russian expert’s opinion that the donor and receiving countries should commit themselves to decreasing the problems caused by migration.
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In his opinion, all three parties are aggrieved in the current situation, whereas one can impose concrete regulations given the intergovernmental agreements. “If one country empties, that country suffers in terms of specialists in the first place, since it has spent money on the education of the given specialist. He gradually rules out his participation in the development of the given country. All this is an international problem today. And it is interesting that 99 percent of migrants leave the south for the north causing problems with maintaining personal, national identity,” Aram Sargsyan said during a conversation with Aravot. In response to our observation that this also causes problems with protection of human rights, since the state cannot force anyone to leave for another country or to stay in that country, Aram Sargsyan said, “One doesn’t ask; one decides and leaves. The task of countries like Armenia is to create living conditions, in order that one doesn’t even think of leaving. Emigration is the most painful problem for us. Therefore, we cannot afford it. However, since it is understandable that such problems are not solved overnight, the state should at least show interest and take care of those who emigrate from that country through
the provisions stipulated in intergovernmental agreements. People emigrate from Armenia to the Russian Federation, the US and European countries. One can think a bit and find out what agreements with these countries one can reach, in order that basic conditions are created.” Our interlocutor gave an example of Armenians’ emigration to France after the Genocide, when that country created specific conditions for our countrymen on one condition that they would maintain their identity remaining loyal citizens and accepting the rules of the game. “The adaptation was smoother. One can find options now too, particularly given the fact that there is a problem of xenophobia in Europe,” our interlocutor said. He suggests that a UN committee regulating migration issues be established, which will supranational, supra-state and will regulate this field with specific guarantees and projects.
By the way, Peter van Krieken, an expert representing the Netherlands urged in his speech not to follow their example, since Europe pursued a wrong policy in terms of migration, “There is no multiculturalism, it has collapsed, because it just cannot be achieved. One should have been smarter.”
NELLY GRIGORYAN, Rhodes
