Georgia and Moldova have joined the EMN as observers, respectively on 11 and 12 March 2021.

This is the first time that the EMN welcomes countries from outside the European Economic Area.

The European Commission believes this is an opportunity to share our European good practices in managing migration, while getting a better understanding of migration from an Eastern neighborhood perspective. In order to manage migration better, it is important to increase EU cooperation with third countries. This was emphasised in the New Pact on Migration and Asylum. For EU Member States as for Georgia and Moldova this cooperation on asylum and migration can be very enriching. 

As observers both countries can, based on mutual consent, contribute to research and other activities of the EMN. The working arrangements establish the conditions of the administrative cooperation.

For both countries a short video was prepared to welcome them: