Kachurets C. Migration Problems in the Foreign Policy of Ukraine

The thesis discloses the influence of migration problems over forming and implementation of Ukraine's foreign policy. The conceptual approaches to migration component of the state's foreign policy investigation have been analyzed with the consideration of modern Ukrainian realities. The thesis provides the most recent trends of Ukrainian foreign policy in the sphere of migration. The main causes and inner motives of Ukrainian external migration, as well as the foreign citizens' entry of the country have been clarified. The international migration dynamics and the role of Ukraine in it have been analyzed. The ascendancy of external labor migration over state's foreign policy decision-making was detected. The possible consequences of unregulated transit migration concerning Ukrainian state security point have been substantiated. The experience of European countries in the sphere of illegal migration counteraction and refugees defense has been enlightened. The evolution of Ukraine-EU bilateral co-operation is divided into 3 periods. The first starts in 1994 with the signing of the Partnership and Co-operation Treaty. The main attention here is paid to the functioning of Ukrainian customs office, market control, adapting of migration procedures to the European standards and legalizing of migrants flow. The second period has started in 2005, when the talks concerning readmission agreement were initiated. It was over while signing of the agreement. The last stage has begun in 2007 with the starting of talks on the New Enhanced Agreement between Ukraine and the EU. This stage is characterized by changes in the co-operation format, faced in the "Eastern Partnership" initiative. The abolishment of visa regime for Ukrainian citizens was stated as a main priority on this stage. The significance of signing of the readmission agreement between Ukraine and European Union has been disclosed in the dissertation research. It is mainly treated as a negative experience of Ukrainian diplomats, as it brings a lot of problems related to maintenance, identification and deportation of illegal migrants, besides, Ukrainian side bears heavy expenses because of its unilateral commitments. The effect of migration factor in the interstate co-operation between Ukraine and CIS countries has been showed. This factor was defined as an impulse for realization of the neighborliness policy. Russia has been determined as the main country of Ukrainian labour migrants receipt. But simultaneously it can be treated as the most risky state, taking into account low financial successfulness of the workers. The mutual migration problems solving has been consider as a matter of strategic importance. The complex analysis of implementation of bilateral treaties with the main recipients of Ukrainian migrants has been carried out. It has been stated, that Ukraine has very few Agreements on mutual defense of migrant workers. The main reasons for that have been revealed. The state of Ukrainian migrants' rights protection has been investigated through the activity of the Support Centre for Ukrainian citizens abroad. The main functions of it have been distressed. The effectiveness of co-operation with the international organizations, such as IOM, ILO and the UN in the sphere of migrants' rights protection and human trafficking prevention has been appraised. The recommendations concerning the elements of reaction mechanism for fighting illegal migration are determined for further implementation in Ukraine's migration policy.