Finland and Sweden will tighten the migration policy of both the countries, said Ministry of the Interior in a press release referring to a meeting between the respective ministers of the neighbouring countries.
Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen and Sweden’s Minister for Migration Johan Forssell met in Helsinki on Wednesday and discussed the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, the reception of asylum seekers, and the promotion of returns.
“Finland and Sweden are currently taking very similar steps in tightening their migration policy. It is valuable that we are like-minded in this regard, as together we can influence the contents of EU policy. It is now important that the EU continue its work to prevent the submission of unfounded asylum applications and to return illegally staying non-EU nationals, particularly when it comes to criminals and persons posing a security threat,” said Rantanen.
Both Finland and Sweden are currently outlining their positions on the European Commission's proposal for a regulation aiming to make the EU's return policy tighter and more effective.
Rantanen also met with Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin on Wednesday and discussed the letter of intent concerning the joint planning of the protection of the civilian population that Finland and Sweden signed last autumn.
The objective is to improve the conditions for protecting the civilian population in a serious crisis, armed attack or threat of an armed attack.
“In the current security situation, we must work together to strengthen our civil preparedness and emergency planning. The work has got off to a good start,” Rantanen said.
At their meeting, the Ministers also discussed other topical issues, such as the Preparedness Union Strategy recently published by the European Commission and the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
- Finland
- Sweden
- Tighten
- migration policy
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
