Algeria, from transit point to final destination

''There is an agreement between North African and Western countries to prevent people from leaving Algeria towards Europe'' reported Caritas Secretary General for Algeria, Jean Francois Debargue this morning at Cagliari's MigraMed 2012 meeting, a three day conference on the migratory emergency. ''The European Union has moved the borders of North Africa, essentially dumping the migrants' problem onto the shoulders of these countries'', Debarque pointed out. ''In Algeria from the southern borders one can arrive easily thanks to a work permit, because building sites have opened and there is a request for workers, then from there one tries to reach European coasts. But now from an intermediate area of passage, Algeria has become the final destination. Many are stopped, checks are a lot stricter, before the chances were much higher.'' Since 2006, when the migratory flux towards Sardinia began, around 4000 Algerians travelled through. Most of them then reach France. The route is the El Kala'-Sulcis, the same which should follow the gas pipeline which is to bring methane from Algeria to Europe passing through Sardinia and Italy. Debarque concluded saying ''it is the same route followed by many desperate people, humanity in search of a desire and dreams for a life which are shattered in the closure and selfishness of Europe today.''