Germany and Colombia have agreed on a joint declaration of intent for a so-called migration partnership. The agreement was signed in Berlin by Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister Jorge Rojas Rodriguez and Federal Government Special Representative for Migration Agreements Joachim Stamp (FDP), as announced by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
In his role as special representative, Stamp will help attract workers from abroad and ensure that the countries of origin of asylum seekers cooperate in deporting German citizens who are forced to leave Germany and return to their home countries. In the first eight months of this year, 2,462 Colombians applied for asylum in Germany for the first time. This puts Colombia in ninth place among the leading countries of origin for asylum seekers.
After signing, Stamp said: “Both sides have the same interests. We want to promote scientific, labor and educational immigration and take consistent action against illegal immigration. There are hard-working and performance-oriented Colombians in Germany,” the Interior Ministry quoted the deputy foreign minister as saying. There are currently about 14,000 Colombian nationals in Germany paying social security contributions, 3,500 students and about 500 scientists.
The federal government has already signed so-called migration agreements with India, Georgia, Kenya and Uzbekistan. It is also cooperating with Morocco on migration issues. Stamp is currently in discussions with other countries.
