Swiss Foreign Migration Policy Remains Affected by War in Ukraine, Inflation and COVID-19

The figures prove that the country’s foreign migration policy last year was profoundly affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the increase in food and energy prices as well as the economic and social consequences of the Coronavirus, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

“As the war in Ukraine continues, about 18 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid. Together with the EU, other donor states and the United Nations, Switzerland is committed to supporting the people affected in Ukraine and its neighbouring countries,” the statement reads.

Last month, the Federal Council decided to raise humanitarian aid in Ukraine and the region to a total of CHF 80 million.

As part of efforts to manage the current migration situation, Switzerland concluded two additional migration partnerships with Georgia as well as North Macedonia. The decision was confirmed through the annual report on the country’s foreign migration policy, approved by the Federal Council on April 19 this year.

“In the course of the year under review, the importance of the eastern Mediterranean and Balkan routes for flight and migration movements to Europe increased again,” the statement reads.

According to the report, there are several reasons that led to the increase, including the abolishment of COVID-related restrictions or the visa regime for Western Balkan countries.

Last year, Switzerland reached an agreement with Austria and Germany on a common scheme which consists of a plan containing both border police as well as migration policy measures. Besides, the country, together with other states, intervened at the European Commission, thus reaching an adjustment of the visa policy of individual Western Balkan countries.

In 2022, authorities in Switzerland intensified the cooperation with several other countries, also taking into account the agreement with Georgia and North Macedonia reached in the field of migration.

At the same time, last year, progress was also noted in the return area, especially with Morocco and Algeria.

The figures provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) revealed that authorities in Switzerland received a total of 1,893 asylum applications last month, accounting for an increase of 12.6 per cent or 212 more compared to February 2023 data.

According to the statistics provided by SEM, compared to March last year, the number of asylum applications increased by 580.