WARSAW, Poland (CHATNEWSTV) — Sweden’s State Secretary for Migration Anders Hall met with top officials at Frontex last week to discuss return procedures, underscoring Sweden’s commitment to increasing deportations of individuals with expulsion orders.
Hall’s visit to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in Warsaw coincided with an informal gathering of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) on Jan. 30-31. Discussions with Frontex officials centered on Sweden’s expanding use of the agency’s resources in repatriation efforts.
“The Government’s priority is to increase the returns of those who have received an expulsion order,” Hall said. “That’s why it’s positive that Frontex is verifying that the work of the Government and its agencies is yielding results. Achieving an effective return procedure is a prerequisite for a responsible and well-functioning migration policy.”
Over the past two years, Swedish government agencies have intensified their collaboration with Frontex, leading to a rise in coordinated deportation operations. Frontex supports EU member states throughout the return process, including securing travel documents, liaising with third countries, arranging chartered flights, and providing reintegration assistance.
Hall met with Frontex’s Deputy Executive Director for Returns and Operations Lars Gerdes, as well as Mauro Petriaggi, Head of Sector Return Operations. Both officials reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with Sweden.
The meeting comes as EU nations face mounting pressure to streamline return procedures amid growing migration challenges. Sweden has pushed for stricter enforcement measures, arguing that an efficient deportation system is crucial to maintaining public confidence in migration policies.
Poland’s Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak, who also attended the JHA meeting, expressed support for Sweden’s stance. “Cooperation with Frontex strengthens our collective ability to manage migration effectively,” he said.
Frontex has significantly expanded its role in recent years, taking on a more active role in coordinating and funding return operations across Europe. The agency has faced scrutiny over human rights concerns in deportations, but maintains that its procedures align with EU regulations and international law.
As Sweden looks to ramp up its deportation efforts, officials say continued engagement with Frontex will be key in ensuring the success of their return policies.
