[09/February/2010]

SANA'A, Feb. 09 (Saba)- A workshop on reviewing immigration policies in Yemen was held on Tuesday in Sana'a within the project of reinforcing the government efforts to face challenges of the mixed immigration.

The two-day workshop, organized by the European Union, aims at training 30 participants from concerned ministries and bodies on how to review immigration policies and to present international expertise in this respect, in addition to how to face challenges of the mixed immigration.

In the opening of the workshop, Minister of Immigration Ahmed Husein said that "Yemen is facing challenges due to the continuous exodus of illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa who exceed 800,000 refugees according to estimations of international organizations."

This immigration adds many economic and social burdens on Yemen and increases difficulties Yemen is suffering from as it also reflects humanitarian problems on refugees situations, he added.

The minister noted support of the international organizations provided to Yemen in a bid to reduce impacts of these problems on the country.

For her part, representative of the European Union delivered a speech in which she affirmed continuation of the European Union to support Yemen financially and politically in order to counter challenges of the illegal immigration.

She pointed out the role done by Yemen as a host country to provide care for and help refugees although the consequent economic, social and political negative impacts it complains from.

AM/AM

Saba