Switzerland commits to improving migration management
Bern - Switzerland is set to open negotiations in relation to its migration framework credit with Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria. The focus here will be on determining the programs of partner countries for support. In this way, Switzerland is seeking to play its part in improving the management of migration.
Switzerland is entering the second implementation phase for its migration framework credit. The Federal Council, the swiss federal government, has now approved the opening of negotiations with Greece, Cyprus and Bulgaria to this end. With its commitment in this area, Switzerland is seeking to contribute to improving the management of migratory flows at European level, from which it would also stand to benefit, as the Federal Council states in a corresponding press release.
The upcoming negotiations will above all be focused on selecting the areas to be supported as well as the amount to be allocated to each individual program. In total, a sum of 70 million Swiss francs is available for this second phase, after the Swiss cooperation program supported Greece and Cyprus to the tune of 40 million and 10 million Swiss francs respectively during the first phase. In general, financial support is likely to be directed towards areas such as asylum processes, infrastructure, return and reintegration, and integration measures.
The migration framework credit totals 200 million Swiss francs overall. In addition to supporting cooperation programs, part of this money is tied to a Rapid Response Fund. This serves to ensure that EU member states are in a position to quickly respond to sharp increases in migratory movements. The Rapid Response Fund has already proved to be an important instrument for EU member states that have accepted a high number of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, as the Federal Council writes. ce/hs
