No Swedish initiative to reintroduce visas for Serbia

The Swedish embassy in Belgrade has released that the Swedish government has not launched any initiative to reintroduce visas for Serbian citizens.

Izvor: B92

Wednesday, 30.01.2013.

13:20

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BELGRADE The Swedish embassy in Belgrade has released that the Swedish government has not launched any initiative to reintroduce visas for Serbian citizens. “With reference to some news in media, suggesting that Sweden has taken measures regarding visa suspension for Serbia, the Swedish Embassy wishes to point out that no such initiative has been taken by the Swedish government,” reads a release. No Swedish initiative to reintroduce visas for Serbia “Sweden strongly supports the introduction of a suspension mechanism into the existing set of regulations. Contrary to the reports in some media there is nothing in the Swedish position that has changed in this regard. The internal EU deliberations regarding the text on this mechanism are still ongoing,” it is said in the release. “As it stands, the text for the mechanism is neutrally worded and not specifically aimed at the asylum trend from the Western Balkans. Importantly, Swedish support for the introduction of the suspension mechanism does not imply that Sweden will automatically be in favor of its immediate use,” the Swedish embassy stressed. “The Swedish Government is very well aware of how important the newly acquired visa free regime is for the citizens and countries of the Western Balkan but the manner in which this freedom has been used is not acceptable,” reads the statement. “Sweden is one of the EU member states most affected by the asylum seeker trend with approximately 20,000 applicants from the region since the introduction of the visa free regime began in 2009. It is our hope that the current situation in the Western Balkans can be dealt with as soon as possible by a combination of short-term and long term measures. The latter would include further efforts to improve the social situation of minorities and vulnerable groups," it is said in the embassy’s release. Swedish daily Syd Svenskan reported on Tuesday that Swedish Migration and Asylum Policy Minister Tobias Billstrom advocated that visas be reintroduced for citizens of the countries of the region, including Serbia. (Beta/AP, file) B92

No Swedish initiative to reintroduce visas for Serbia

“Sweden strongly supports the introduction of a suspension mechanism into the existing set of regulations. Contrary to the reports in some media there is nothing in the Swedish position that has changed in this regard. The internal EU deliberations regarding the text on this mechanism are still ongoing,” it is said in the release.

“As it stands, the text for the mechanism is neutrally worded and not specifically aimed at the asylum trend from the Western Balkans. Importantly, Swedish support for the introduction of the suspension mechanism does not imply that Sweden will automatically be in favor of its immediate use,” the Swedish embassy stressed.

“The Swedish Government is very well aware of how important the newly acquired visa free regime is for the citizens and countries of the Western Balkan but the manner in which this freedom has been used is not acceptable,” reads the statement.

“Sweden is one of the EU member states most affected by the asylum seeker trend with approximately 20,000 applicants from the region since the introduction of the visa free regime began in 2009. It is our hope that the current situation in the Western Balkans can be dealt with as soon as possible by a combination of short-term and long term measures. The latter would include further efforts to improve the social situation of minorities and vulnerable groups," it is said in the embassy’s release.

Swedish daily Syd Svenskan reported on Tuesday that Swedish Migration and Asylum Policy Minister Tobias Billstrom advocated that visas be reintroduced for citizens of the countries of the region, including Serbia.

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