Mazen Alloush, Director of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation at the General Authority for Crossings and Customs, held talks with a Swedish delegation, including representatives from the Swedish Migration Agency led by Shil Tere Torvik, and Deputy Head of the Swedish Embassy in Damascus, Jesper Haggar, on prospects for joint cooperation in the fields of migration, voluntary return, and reintegration.
The Authority stated via its Telegram channel on Wednesday that the meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Syrian and Swedish sides, particularly regarding facilitating the voluntary and safe return of Syrians residing abroad, developing procedures and services provided to returnees through border crossings, and exchanging expertise and enhancing institutional capacities in areas of mutual interest.
Importance of voluntary return
Alloush emphasized that the file of Syrians returning to their homeland holds great national and humanitarian importance, noting that the Authority pays special attention to facilitating entry procedures for returnees, providing necessary facilitations, and developing infrastructure and services at border crossings to ensure their organized reception, which preserves their dignity and reduces the burdens associated with their return.
He stressed that the success of the voluntary and sustainable return process requires the integration of national efforts with international partners, and that attention should not be limited to return and transit procedures, but should extend to supporting the economic and social stability of returnees, and creating appropriate conditions for their reintegration into their communities, including job opportunities, basic services, and improved living conditions.
Developing bilateral relations
The Director of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation at the Crossings and Customs Authority pointed out the importance of developing bilateral relations between Syria and the Kingdom of Sweden, and enhancing communication and institutional cooperation channels between the competent authorities in both countries. He confirmed the Authority's openness to joint initiatives and projects that contribute to exchanging expertise, developing border work procedures, and improving the efficiency of services provided to travelers and returnees.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continuing communication and coordination, and exploring opportunities for practical cooperation in the coming stage, in a manner that serves common interests, contributes to supporting the voluntary and sustainable return of Syrians, and enhances bilateral relations between the two countries.
Previously, on September 29, Quteiba Badawi, Chairman of the General Authority for Crossings and Customs, discussed with Ash Karl, Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) mission in Syria, ways to enhance cooperation in developing border crossings, improving services provided to travelers, and raising readiness levels to respond to crises and emergencies.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)