Migration Minister Johan Forssell (M) was in Damascus in November to discuss what is needed for Syria to accept its own citizens who are to be deported from Sweden.
"During the visit, we decided to start a collaboration, and these are usually very practical issues. It's about being able to issue travel documents and establish identities," says Forssell.
Among those the government wants to see deported are 155 convicted Syrians.
"These are often very serious crimes," says Forssell.
"Today we cannot carry out the deportations because the people do not want to go home."
Delegation expected
To deport people who resist deportation, a recipient system is required, in this case in severely war-torn Syria.
The delegation that Forssell hopes will come to Stockholm in the near future is described as a technical delegation consisting of civil servants. It will, among other things, meet with officials at the Swedish Migration Board and the Police Authority to see how Sweden handles migration issues.
The government decided last week to allocate three million kronor in 2026 for the Swedish Migration Board to carry out a feasibility study and "relationship-building" activities with Syrian actors. This sum includes money for the delegation’s trip to Stockholm.
200 Afghans
Could Sweden use its aid policy to get Syria to accept those who are being deported?
"If you want to receive Swedish development assistance, it is important that you also listen to Sweden's interests. That can, of course, be a question as well," says Forssell.
He adds that it is not about making humanitarian aid conditional.
Syria is a priority country in the government's return efforts. Somalia is also a priority, and the government's list includes 56 convicted Somalis who are to be deported. Sweden has also, together with the EU Commission, invited representatives of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to talks in Brussels on how Afghan citizens can be deported from the EU.
According to Forssell, there are approximately 200 convicted Afghans in Sweden with deportation orders.
