Sweden said on Thursday that it would provide Syria with some aid if they both cooperate to expand deportations of Syrians convicted of crimes in Sweden, according to AFP.
“These are Syrian nationals who are in Sweden, who have committed offences here, and who must be deported, but whose deportation has sometimes been very difficult to execute for various reasons,” Sweden’s Migration Minister, Johan Forssell, said.
Landmark Visit
Accompanied by Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa, Forssell visited Damascus this week for a landmark meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
The visit, the first by Swedish ministers to Syria since 2011, marks a significant breakthrough in the relations between the two countries.
“We have agreed to cooperate on what constitutes one of Sweden’s many important priorities,” Forssell said.
After the outbreak of civil war in Syria, several Syrian travelled to Sweden. As a result, successive left- and right-wing governments have tightened asylum and migration rules.
“The vast majority of people who arrived in Sweden are honest and law-abiding individuals, but there are also those who have committed offences.”
He then insisted that these individuals have no place in Sweden.
Development Aid to Syria
Forssell also noted that the government had set a new principle governing Sweden’s development aid: it now seeks, in part, to decrease immigration and accelerate deportations.
“When we provide Swedish development aid, we also expect these countries to cooperate with us and accept their own citizens,” he added.
Otherwise, Stockholm will not grant any development aid to Syria.
During the meeting, Forssell has discussed the issue of repatriations more generally with Al-Sharaa.
To accelerate deportations, Sweden offers financial assistance covering travel and other expenses for Syrians wishing to return.
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