Speaking at the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) in Marrakesh, Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that, on the 70^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in particular, it is "a good sign that we are addressing the fate of the many millions of migrants in the world". The goal of achieving safe, orderly and regular migration can only be achieved through international cooperation, she said.

In Germany’s interest

"Migration is perfectly natural and always takes place, and when migration is legal it is also a good thing," declared Angela Merkel. Because of demographic developments, Germany will increasingly need skilled workers from outside the European Union in future. That is why "we have an interest in legal migration, but we obviously also have an interest in deciding ourselves what is in our best interests". The Global Compact expressly protects the sovereign rights of states.

Combating illegal migration

The Compact clearly aims to combat illegal migration. It affirms its commitment to border protection and to fighting smugglers and human traffickers, and demands that states readmit their own citizens who are residing illegally in another state. Angela Merkel said, "We, the states of the world, cannot accept that smugglers and traffickers decide whether a person comes from one country to another. To protect our citizens it is important that we work together to fight this illegal migration."

Fostering development opportunities

The Chancellor sees a direct link between the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. "If the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to education, health, safety and security and food and nutrition security are not achieved, we will not manage to control or end illegal migration." Development is inextricably linked with implementation of the Global Compact for Migration and its contents, she stated.

Commitment to multilateralism

As the representative of a country that has brought unspeakable suffering to a huge number of people through pure nationalism, Angela Merkel said she had come to Morocco specifically to advocate the adoption of the Compact. "What is at stake here is the foundation of our international cooperation here, no more and no less." Only a clear commitment to multilateralism, she added "will allow us to make our planet better. And that is a goal Germany is committed to achieving."

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration is based on the September 2016 New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. It applies specifically to the broad spectrum of migrants and aims to foster safe, orderly and legal migration, as well as reducing and preventing irregular migration. 

Talks about political and economic relations

The evening before the conference, the Chancellor met with Morocco’s Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani for talks. They discussed social and economic reforms in Morocco, opportunities to step up economic relations between the two countries, and the role of Islam in Africa. Moreover, the two leaders touched on cooperation in the field of migration policy and international efforts to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.

At the start of 2019, the United Nations General Assembly is to expected vote on a resolution relating to the adoption of the report of the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.