Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees (MARRI)

The Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees (MARRI) was conceived in 2003, within the framework of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe and was officially launched on April 5, 2004, at the Ministerial Conference held in Herceg-Novi, which is the founding conference of this initiative as well as the first session of the Regional Forum of MARRI.

MARRI consists of six member states which are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.

This initiative works through two main mechanisms:

• MARRI’s Regional Forum, which serves as a political platform and is the highest forum/organization of the initiative, as during its meetings decisions are made (by consensus) on deepening cooperation according to specific areas. The forum consists of the respective Ministers covering issues related to MARRI. Its powers consist of:
  • Approves the program of action and amends the Principles and Rules of MARRI
  • Approves the Statute of MARRI
  • Supervises the activities undertaken by MARRI and the Center in the field of migration, asylum, refugees
  • Approves or suspends membership in this initiative
  • Approves the Center’s annual report
  • Appoints the Director of the Center and decides on the next presidency.
• MARRI’s Regional Center in Skopje, which serves as a forum for practical cooperation and implements the decisions made by the Regional Forum. MARRI’s regional center, which started operating in January 2005, plays an advisory, coordinating, organizing and disseminating role, aiming to align the legislation of the participating countries with European levels and facilitate regional cooperation in the fields that are the object of its work. The center maintains the institutional memory of the initiative and plays the role of the supporting secretariat of the MARRI Regional Forum and of the next chairmanship. The center secures funding from donors, especially the European Commission.

The objectives/areas of action of this initiative and its Center are focused on contributing to the regular and free movement of people, in the interest of security and prosperity, related to the following areas such as: migration, asylum, readmission, integrated border management, visa policy and consular cooperation and return of refugees/displaced persons, etc.

The activity of the initiative is implemented through the cooperation of the representatives of the member states. There are two organisms that act:

• The members of the MARRI Committee, which includes six representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the six member countries.
• National Coordinators, which includes four representatives from the Ministries of the Interior and two representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs from a total of six member countries of the initiative.

For more information click on: http://www.marri-rc.org/

Almost a million migrants and refugees passed through the Western Balkans in search of safety, food, shelter, work. However, the problems they face during their journey are greater than expected. While the national capacities are not sufficient for the registration, transit, acceptance or integration of the large number of migrants and refugees.

MARRI (Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees) as a unique Regional Initiative, with a main mandate in the field of migration, asylum and refugees helps member countries to provide advice, analysis, training and cooperation. Also, this initiative is a support for the region to reach EU standards for migration management.

MARRI initiates, enables and coordinates regional processes for:

• Harmonization of legislation with the EU
• Raising capacities and institutions
• Exchange of information

Freedom of movement is a fundamental human right.