On the occasion of the Kingdom of Sweden taking on the Chairmanship of International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Steering Group for 2025, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner outlined the EU’s migration priorities such as improving return policies, promoting labour mobility, and combatting migrant smuggling. Mr Brunner also called for a “flexible, responsive and pragmatic” approach, and commended ICMPD’s work along key migratory routes, and its multi-dimensional way of thinking.
At the handover ceremonies at their Permanent Representation in Brussels on 7 March 2025, Swedish Minister for Migration Johan Forssell formally accepted the chairmanship from Greece’s Permanent Representative to the EU, HE Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, and joined by ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger.
A panel discussion, titled Strengthening Partnerships and Supporting Innovative Solutions Along Migratory Routes to Europe, underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to migration, emphasising deeper engagement with partner countries to develop sustainable solutions to shared challenges. In his keynote speech, Commissioner Brunner emphasised that “all sides must be considered to find solutions,” likening the complexity of migration to solving a Rubik’s Cube. He also stressed “the need for strong international cooperation and genuine engagement with origin and transit countries, and effective partnerships require deep understanding of partners’ needs and constraints.”
Minister Forssell presented Sweden’s long-term vision for migration partnerships, including the need to address irregular migration and facilitate labour mobility. He also underscored the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation and advocated for piloting initiatives in areas such as integration and voluntary returns. Mr Forssell also highlighted the urgency of a unified European vision on migration. Stronger collaboration with partner countries, he noted, is essential to achieving the goals of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, particularly in exploring return hubs and other innovative solutions.
Mr Spindelegger emphasised the importance of comprehensive migration partnerships that balance efforts to address irregular migration while creating space for labour migration pathways. He also highlighted the need to understand the challenges that countries face and work collectively to strengthen migration governance, capacities and expertise. He pointed to the success of the Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs), which provide migrants with information on the risks of irregular migration and legal migration pathways. He called for collaboration with the private sector to address the EU’s skills shortages and underscored the importance of piloting projects on innovative solutions.
Ambassador Vrailas reaffirmed Greece’s pivotal role in managing irregular migration while outlining the key challenges faced by frontline EU countries. He emphasised that for the Pact on Migration and Asylum to be effective, the EU must foster strong partnerships with key third countries. As Greece expects an ambitious return policy and clear framework for the safe third-country concept, Mr Vrailas called for a “more for more, less for less” approach – integrating trade, investment, and visa facilitation incentives. He warned, however, that shifting responsibilities geographically is not a sustainable solution, and reiterated the need for deeper collaboration with partner countries along all key migratory routes.
Swedish Ministry of Justice Deputy Director General Sofia Östmark, thanked Greece’s leadership in 2024 and reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to advancing ICMPD’s Strategy 2030 for its tenure as Chair.
Danijel Apostolović, Serbia’s Ambassador and Head of Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, highlighted the strong cooperation with the EU and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to align with the EU particularly in implementing legislation introduced by the Pact on Migration and Asylum. He also called for greater EU support and enhanced cooperation on border management, asylum procedures, and regional coordination. He also expressed Serbia’s willingness to expand collaboration with international organisations and EU agencies to strengthen efforts in curbing irregular migration.
As both a strategic partner and EU candidate country, Serbia plays a key role in alleviating migratory pressures in the EU.
The handover event concluded with a shared commitment to bolster international cooperation through tailored partnerships, fostering innovative solutions in the area of migration, and developing a more holistic approach to migration management.
Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration giving the keynote speech