"If we deny the existence of diasporas, or are indifferent to them, we are losing a huge potential which can be very helpful to both countries of origin and host countries," says Portuguese Deputy Paolo Pisco.

In this Mediabox interview, just after his report was backed by PACE, he says the benefits of engaging and supporting diasporas are "huge" - both for host countries and countries of origin - and urges European states to develop smart policies for diasporas.

"In my country, Portugal, we have an excellent experience of dealing with diasporas. There are Portuguese living abroad in more than 180 countries who all have the right to vote. They have been represented in our parliament for more than 50 years. Indeed, links with Portuguese living abroad is one of the six vectors of Portugal's foreign policy."

The key is that diasporas have a link to their country of origin which comes from the heart - "and from this 'affective dimension', everything else flows..."

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https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8377/for-a-european-policy-on-diasporas