Baume-Schneider discusses repatriation of migrants with EU minister – what came from dyeing hair blonde is now also cultural appropriation – says this professor

In Stockholm on Thursday, EU interior ministers discussed improving the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers. Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, attending an EU ministerial meeting for the first time, called for a sense of proportion.

The EU is registering a “large increase in irregular migrants”, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said shortly before the meeting. At the same time, you have “a very low return rate”. This is despite the fact that the EU has more than 18 repatriation agreements. That is why she welcomes the fact that the Swedish presidency of the EU Council is focusing on more efficient repatriation, Johansson continued.

According to the European Commission, in 2021 only 21 percent of the approximately 300,000 rejected asylum seekers in the EU were returned to their home country. But there are also lower numbers in circulation – including 16 percent.

However, this means that the EU is still a long way from its goal of achieving a 70 percent repatriation rate. The problem is that there are countries that do not want to take back their nationals. Morocco, Algeria and countries in the Horn of Africa are considered “non-cooperative countries”.

Push through restrictive visa policies

At the beginning of the week, the European Commission therefore made proposals to increase the repatriation quota. This includes more joint returns, carried out by the EU agency for the protection of the external borders Frontex. Guidance on return and reintegration must also be improved.

The Swedish Presidency of the EU Council, in turn, proposes in a working document to put even more pressure on the “non-cooperating” states – for example through a more restrictive visa allocation.

So far, EU countries have only agreed on a more restrictive visa policy towards The Gambia, which Switzerland has adopted as a Schengen associated member.

However, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser was sceptical. Rather, she argues for a more comprehensive concept than pure repatriation agreements. “I believe the route through migration agreements is the better route,” she said.

Switzerland has migration partnerships

When asked about pressure measures, Baume-Schneider said there must be a balance between international humanitarian law and security. In her speech she pointed out that European migration policy is based on common values.

“You can be restrictive on the one hand,” she said, citing the external border as an example. But then you also have to show solidarity with the people who are fleeing on the other side, said the federal councilor responsible for migration policy.

Switzerland has long been successfully cooperating with migration partnerships, as German Interior Minister Faeser calls for. This is reflected in their repatriation rate of 31 percent. Baume-Schneider attributed these successes to reciprocity.

Because unlike pure repatriation agreements, migration partnerships follow a broader approach that benefits all contracting parties – for example through support with border controls, vocational training or microcredit on return.

In total, Switzerland has eight migration partnerships: with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Sri Lanka and Tunisia.

Various bilateral meetings

In the margins of the meeting, the Federal Councilor also exchanged views with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Johansson. Bilateral meetings also took place with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, German Interior Minister Faeser and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

It is extremely important for them to maintain these contacts, Baume-Schneider said after the meeting. She has met many interesting personalities and is looking forward to the next meeting. Because “migration is a topic that moves me,” she said. (sda)