One way of creating a more uniform approach to border- and migration control within the EU was the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in 2004. Further, The New Pact on Migration and Asylum, can be considered as a step towards a more comprehensive European policy in this area, with the EU playing more prominent role in both implementing and providing assistance for returns. However, while this charts a course for Frontex’s intended involvement in returns, less is known about the existing state of affairs, including the areas of collaboration, the methods of operation, and the perception of both parties regarding the current cooperation between Sweden and Frontex.
Within the framework of the AMIF-funded Delmi project "Return as international migration policy: coordination within and across national borders", the third part of this project, relating to EU’s role in return and readmission, is now being launched. What frameworks for cooperation and support are there between Frontex and Sweden, how are these frameworks utilized, and is the cooperation considered ‘effective’? Identifying best practices and potential improvements for cooperation in the field of returns is another goal for the project.
The project seeks to answer the following questions:
- What forms of political and operative cooperation between Frontex and Member States can be identified? Are there formal and informal forms of cooperation?
- How and to what extent do Swedish actors use support from Frontex for return operations? In this regard, does Sweden differ from other member states?
- What is the relationship (formal and informal) between Swedish actors and Frontex in the field of returns? How do they perceive this relationship, identify its positive or negative aspects, and suggest ways to enhance it?
Photo by: Alexander Psiuk
