Liechtenstein and Switzerland are once again realising joint migration projects in the Western Balkan states this year. The government has approved an amount of 500,000 Swiss francs for this purpose.
Liechtenstein and many Western European countries have long been a destination region for asylum seekers from the Western Balkans. These were mainly poverty-stricken and economic migrants. Thanks to the intensified cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans in the area of migration over the past 15 years or so, these numbers have been greatly reduced. More recently, however, many Western Balkan states have become destination and transit countries for migrants and asylum seekers. Thousands of people have to be accommodated, cared for and integrated into local society. The humanitarian situation of migrants is sometimes precarious and appropriate support is required. Liechtenstein has a particular interest in combating irregular migration from the Western Balkans and reducing the migratory pressure on the ground with development projects.
Both Liechtenstein and Switzerland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo for a migration partnership. The purpose of the MoU is to jointly achieve better management of migration flows. Cooperation in the fight against irregular migration, smuggling, visa issuance and readmission is to be strengthened. Liechtenstein and Switzerland are jointly implementing some of the development projects on the ground. The projects cover the following thematic priorities:
- Border management and combating the smuggling of migrants;
- Improving cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans in the area of migration;
- Prevention of irregular migration;
- Reintegration of returning migrants