The seventh migration dialogue, regarding the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Swiss Confederation and the Republic of Serbia, was held from the 10th to the 11th of March 2016.

The Serbian delegation was headed by Mr. Vladimir Cucić, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration and his counterpart in the dialogue was Ambassador Mr. Urs von Arb, Director for International Cooperation, State Secretariat for Migration.

On the 10th of March 2016 the representatives of the two countries visited the Refugee Assistance Point in Miratovac. Thereat they were familiarized with the Point’s capacities and held conversations with the employees. After that they continued with the visit to Reception-transit center in Presevo. On this occasion, those responsible for the Centre’s administration, showed the guests the registration process which is being applied to migrants, the accommodation facilities and the various services available to migrants.

The Serbian delegation informed the Swiss delegation on how the Republic of Serbia reacted to the increased influx of migrants in the previous period, as well as on the activities of the Border Police undertaken in response to illegal migration, border control and the fight against human trafficking.

Commissioner Cucić presented to the delegation information concerning migration management, reception and accommodation of migrants, available capacities and predictions about possible future developments. 

On the second day of the migration dialogue, talks and an exchange of experiences was continued amongst the representatives of the delegations of the two countries. Meetings were held at the Palace of Serbia.

On this occasion, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin, met with Ambassador Urs fon Arb and His Excellency, the Swiss Ambassador Mr. Jean-Daniel Ruch. Minister Vulin said that Serbia will continue to behave responsibly and in accordance with the decisions being implemented by the European Union. The officials agreed on the necessity for a unified position within the European region for finding long-term and sustainable solutions to the migrant crisis.

Minister Vulin expressed his gratitude for the help provided and said that he hoped that Serbia and Switzerland will continue to cooperate, not only within the projects supporting the migrant population in Serbia, but also within other development projects of mutual interest.

Upon the conclusion of this meeting the representatives of the Swiss Confederation presented their data on migration flows and forecasts in this field in Switzerland, as also information concerning integration programs for persons granted some form of protection, the challenges they face regarding irregular migration and the fight against human trafficking.

An important part of the dialogue were the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, returnees under the readmission agreement. Both delegations expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation achieved in the field of readmission. This was followed by the conversation about current projects and the potential for further cooperation in the field of migration management.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Swiss Federal Council and the Government of the Republic of Serbia establishing a migration partnership, which was signed on the 30th of June 2009, set up a regular dialogue on migration between the two countries. The New Swiss Strategy for partnership in the field of migration for the Western Balkans from 2016 to 2019 comprehensively covers issues concerning migration and has a budget of 10 million Swiss francs for the region. The priority areas are: efficient asylum system; migration management at the local level; prevention of irregular migration; migration and development; human trafficking; return and reintegration.