Sweden vows to prevent repeat of 2015 migration crisis

Sweden’s government is prepared to take measures to prevent a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said, as European leaders respond to rising migration pressure in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta.

“Since we received information about this, Migration Minister Johan Forssell has been in contact with his Scandinavian colleagues and does not rule out taking the necessary measures to ensure that 2015 is not repeated,” Kristersson was quoted as saying by Aftonbladet newspaper. “It is important that Spain urgently takes steps to restore control over the situation and fulfil its obligations under the Schengen Agreement.”

Migration Minister Johan Forssell ранее told Expressen that Sweden would not take part in EU relocation efforts. “We will not accept the redistribution of migrants [within the EU],” he said.

Sweden was among the countries most affected by the 2015 migration surge, receiving around 163,000 asylum seekers — the highest number per capita in the European Union. Arrivals declined sharply in subsequent years, with 29,000 in 2016, 26,000 in 2017 and 21,500 in 2018.

Most of those who arrived during the 2015 wave remained in Sweden. According to official statistics, more than 20% of the country’s population, or about 2.2 million people, are foreign-born.

By Tamilla Hasanova