A new strategy that includes a total of 3 billion kronor has therefore been developed for the period 2024-2028.
We are moving forward with a substantial amount of money that will partly address the root causes of migration, so that we reduce asylum immigration to Sweden and people stay put, says Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa (M) at a press conference.
The strategy has a greater focus on increasing aid in the immediate region. The government hopes that in the long run, it will reduce irregular migration to Sweden and the EU.
If Swedish aid funds can be used to help people enter the local labor market and not want to migrate to Europe and Sweden, then it's really a win-win for all parties, says Dousa.
The operation will be a complement to other measures in the migration and aid areas. The 3 billion is a small part of Sweden's total aid budget.
A concrete example of measures can be to improve border management to ensure that asylum seekers who are not entitled to protection return to their home countries.
It can also involve conditioning parts of the aid to put pressure on countries to take back their citizens who are to be deported from Sweden.
Other examples of how the money can be used include support for reintegration, return centers, or strengthened capacity for migration and asylum management in partner countries.
It's about benefiting all parties. It benefits Sweden, as the government's policy and what the voters have voted for is to reduce asylum immigration to Sweden. So we're delivering on the important election promise.
