Migration and asylum

In the midst of an extremely important time for the EU, Germany's Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Stockholm on 31 January for a meeting with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. Brexit negotiations are due to begin, and a new asylum system will be put into place. Germany has a key role in both of these processes. Hans Dahlgren is State Secretary to Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, and he tells us more about the visit.

The reception of large numbers of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in 2015 involved a considerable undertaking on the part of the municipalities to achieve a good long-term system of reception in which account is taken of children’s rights. Although the number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Sweden has decreased, Sweden will probably receive a large number of unaccompanied girls and boys in coming years too.

The war in Syria and the terrible humanitarian situation in the city of Aleppo was one the main issues when the EU’s 28 heads of state and government met in Brussels on 15 December. The European Council decided to increase pressure to try and ensure the evacuation of civilians and the protection of hospitals and ambulances. The EU leaders also reached an agreement that will enable the Netherlands to approve the Union’s trade agreement with Ukraine. Migration, defence, economic and social issues, and future negotiations with the United Kingdom were also discussed.

Today, Monday 21 November, Minister for Education Gustav Fridolin will deliver the opening address at the Education International Conference in Stockholm on the theme schooling for newly arrived pupils. During the week, Mr Fridolin will take part in a number of conference activities.

The Swedish Government has decided to prolong internal border controls from 12 November 2016 to 11 February 2017.

When the EU heads of state and government gathered for the European Council meeting in Brussels on 20 and 21 October, four issues were in focus: migration, the EU’s relations with Russia, the escalating humanitarian and security crisis in Syria, and trade. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven participated in the meeting, which incidentally was the first such meeting attended by the new UK prime minister Theresa May.

On 5 October 2016, Sweden and Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding on the readmission of people whose residence permit applications have been rejected.

The Government has presented a number of measures to ensure legally secure and more efficient returns of people whose asylum applications have been rejected.

OP-ED on behalf of the Governments of Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sweden and the United Kingdom

The Government is mobilising efforts to foster an open and democratic society. Initiatives within the framework of ‘a Sweden that stands together’ were presented in the 2016 Spring Fiscal Policy Bill. This work will continue with additional initiatives for a society with open meeting places, more local cultural activities and an enhanced civil society, as well as measures against discrimination, extremism, threats and hate. A total of SEK 132 million is being committed in the Budget Bill for 2017 and the autumn amending budget for 2016. The initiatives are included in the Budget Bill for 2017 and the autumn amending budget for 2016, which are based on an agreement between the government parties and the Left Party.

New York 20 September 2016. Check against delivery.

UN High-Level meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, 19 September 2016, New York. Round table – addressing the root causes of large movements of migrants Check against delivery.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven had a meeting today with Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson. Among the topics discussed was the upcoming summits on migration in mid-September in New York, which will be attended by Mr Löfven.

Humanitarian needs in the world are huge. In the autumn amending budget for 2016, which is based on an agreement with the Left Party, the Government proposes that SEK 6.4 billion be fed back to development assistance. SEK 2.5 billion of this will go to new initiatives focusing on displaced children, and SEK 3.9 billion will restore initiatives previously subject to cuts.

On Tuesday 16 August Prime Minister Stefan Löfven had talks with Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić to discuss issues including Serbia’s cooperation with the EU and common security issues.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven today visited Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, a temporary home to 80 000 Syrian refugees. During his visit Mr Löfven met those living in the camp and visited a recreation centre for children and young people. He also met with UNHCR staff and management in Zaatari.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven is in Jordan for a two-day visit focusing on global responsibility-sharing for refugees. On 14 August Stefan Löfven met with Jordanian Prime Minister Hani Mulki for talks on issues including the consequences of the war in Syria, the countries’ bilateral relations and the Middle East peace process. They also exchanged experiences on UN Security Council work.

The temporary act on restrictions to the possibility of being granted a residence permit in Sweden entered into force on 20 July. The act sets a maintenance requirement as a condition for being granted a residence permit in two instances; firstly, in connection with family member immigration and secondly, to allow issuing a permanent residence permit if the individual has an income from employment or business activities. The act does not specify how large an income is required. Instead, this is now specified in an ordinance.

On 15–16 August, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will travel to Belgrade for talks with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and President Tomislav Nikolić. The talks will focus on growth and migration issues, European cooperation, development in the region and how relations between the two countries can be developed.

On Sunday 14 August, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven will travel to Jordan for discussions on the refugee situation and other current regional issues. On Monday 15 August, Mr Löfven will have talks with Jordan's Prime Minister Hani Mulki, visit refugee camps with the responsible UN organisations and take part in a seminar on job creation for young people.