This policy brief emphasises the importance of Swedish authorities strengthening their cooperation with the European Union Asylum Agency (EUAA) to ensure that the new Migration and Asylum Pact (hereafter ‘the Pact’) is implemented correctly with regard to Sweden's international commitments. The Swedish Migration Agency, with its capacity as an authority, can largely manage the forthcoming change work internally. At the same time, the benefits of the agency utilising the tools of the EUAA are demonstrated. Sweden can strengthen its contribution to the EU Common Asylum System by actively participating in the development of the EUAA's tools, engaging in the EUAA's networks, participating effectively in international missions and considering what direct support Sweden might receive from the EUAA in the future to better manage unpredictable migration challenges.
Some overall conclusions and recommendations
- In order to strengthen the Swedish contribution to the Common Asylum System, it is crucial that the Swedish Migration Agency actively participates in the development of the administrative tools of the EUAA.
- Swedish policy makers should, through the EUAA and its networks, promote a European professional sphere for asylum officers and migration experts, which can contribute to a more harmonised asylum system in Europe.
- Swedish authorities should carefully study the results of the Monitoring Mechanism's pilot reviews of Estonia and the Netherlands, in preparation for a future review of Sweden's system.
About the author
Johan Ekstedt is based at Malmö University and his research focuses on migration to Europe and asylum bureaucracy, particularly from a micro-level perspective.
Photography: https://unsplash.com/@curatedlifestyle
