Algerian Ambassador to Belgium Ammar Belani stated that the meetings the Algerian delegation has held with the European Commission during the recent partnership week emphasized the need to adopt a new approach in dealing with the phenomenon of illegal migration.

In statements to the Algerian newspaper El-Khabar on Wednesday, Belani explained that “the Algerian delegation took advantage of the series of meetings with the European partner to reaffirm Algeria’s firm position and its comprehensive approach to the issue of illegal migration.” He stressed on “the need to reject the purely security approach and unilateral policies that failed to face the flow of migrants to Europe.”

Belani pointed out that “the Algerian delegation reviewed the Algerian government’s exerted efforts and adopted policies to repatriate illegal migrants from sub-Saharan countries, in coordination with the authorities of these countries, and its assumption of their travel costs.”

Belani added: “Algeria has warned that in light of the changing migration pattern, the diversity of migratory routes and the tightening of European policy towards this phenomenon, the countries of the northern coast of Africa have become the most attractive countries to migrants for residence.”

According to the same source, the Algerian delegation insisted that “this situation requires intensified efforts to support the countries of origin, provide support to them, especially in the field of development, support the youth and make more efforts to facilitate the channels of legal migration.”

Read: Algeria to take all ‘legal measures’ against illegal immigration

The meetings, which were held in Brussels from 27 February to 2 March, are part of a deep dialogue and partnership between the EU and Algeria.

The meetings included three sectoral meetings which are part of a series of periodic meetings aimed at deepening political dialogue and exchanging views on security issues at the national, regional and international levels, as well as issues of migration and the facilitation of the movement of people.