Switzerland and France are fighting against smuggling gangs.
Published: Friday, Oct 27th 2023, 16:51
Updated At: Saturday, Oct 28th 2023, 01:55
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Switzerland and France have agreed to strengthen their efforts against illegal immigration and smuggling networks. Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin have approved an action plan on migration on Friday.
We are determined to work together to combat irregular migration and in particular to fight the criminal activities of smugglers, which are a true scourge on society, said Justice Minister Baume-Schneider in the Geneva municipality of Thônex in front of the media.
The main goal of this action plan is to prevent irregular migration, added the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD). At the same time, it contributes to providing protection to those people who actually need it.
France and Switzerland are already working together in the border region. In light of the increase in secondary migration, that is, travel from one Schengen state to another, the two neighboring countries are looking to do even more.
In the action plan, various measures are planned, starting with police operations in the border area to combat smugglers. Mixed patrols will be mobilized in cross-border rail traffic. Communication is to be strengthened with the appointment of liaison officers.
French Interior Minister Darmanin emphasized that when speaking of a border or of friendly countries, both must work together to control it. He noted that France has had positive experiences in its joint police work with Italy in combating smuggling rings.
Effective Return Procedures.
Switzerland and France, along with other partner states, are committed to pushing for swift Dublin procedures and the resumption of Dublin returns by Italy on a European level. The two countries also voiced their support for a rapid reform of the European asylum and migration system.
Another key point of the Action Plan, according to Baume-Schneider, is a joint commitment to effective return procedures and against visa policies of third countries that promote irregular migration into the Schengen area.
Switzerland and France plan to evaluate their joint action plan in the first half of 2024 and suggest further measures if necessary. Prior to France, Switzerland had already concluded similar action plans with Austria and Germany in 2022.
Signs of Relaxation
The strengthened cooperation in the field of migration with France comes at a time of improved relations with the neighboring country. After the Swiss decided against the purchase of the French fighter jet Rafale more than two years ago, this led to a significant cooling of the relationship with Paris.
The relationship between France and Switzerland appears to be gradually easing. On the same day, Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter met with her French counterpart Bruno Le Maire in Paris, marking the first visit of a Swiss government member to France since the Rafale controversy. During the meeting, France and Switzerland agreed to strengthen their economic and financial cooperation.
On November 15th and 16th, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Switzerland, marking a thaw in the relations between the two countries. It has been eight years since the last French head of state, François Hollande, visited Switzerland.
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