Switzerland and North Macedonia are expanding their cooperation on migration issues and want to work together to counter irregular migration. Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (58) and North Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski (46) signed a letter of intent in Bern on Monday.
North Macedonia is located on the Balkan route used by refugees and migrants to Europe. On the basis of this agreement, cooperation can be expanded, for example in the prevention of illegal migration, readmission and promotion of regular migration, according to the Justice and Police Department (FDJP).
Already eight migration partnerships
It is the fourth Swiss migration partnership in the Balkans and the eighth overall. Switzerland already has partnerships with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as with Georgia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Tunisia. Further migration partnerships with Balkan countries are not currently planned, Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said when signing the contract.
Switzerland has had a readmission agreement with North Macedonia since 2012. Only a few citizens of North Macedonia are now applying for asylum in Switzerland. In 2012, there were 1137 people, in 2021 there were still 69.
North Macedonia important transit country
The FDJP states in the letter of intent that the Western Balkans play a central role for Switzerland and also for Europe when it comes to migration. After Greece, North Macedonia is the first country where migrants try to reach Western Europe via the Balkan route.
North Macedonia faced enormous challenges during the migration crisis in 2015 and 2016. And now that migration is picking up again due to the easing of the Covid-19 lockdown measures, the country is once again being challenged.
Closer cooperation with Frontex
The North Macedonian authorities have recently agreed a closer cooperation with the EU border security agency Frontex to prevent unwanted migration. Spasovski and EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson (58) signed an agreement on this at the end of October. The European Parliament still has to approve the deal.
The concept of migration partnerships is anchored in the Aliens Act. Migration partnerships are long-term oriented and should exist as long as they bring benefits to the countries involved. The content corresponds to the interests of the states concerned and therefore differs from country to country.
(SDA)