Mr. Giorgi Gakharia,Vice Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia, and the high level delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs paid official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden.
Within the frames of the visit, the meetings were held with Mr. Morgan Johansson, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr. Anders Thornberg, National Police Commissioner of Sweden and with Mr. Bjoern Soeder, Second Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament.
During the meeting with the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Joint Statement was signed between the Government of Georgia and the Government of Sweden on Further Strengthening the Measures on Combating Crime and Especially Organised Property Crime. After the meeting a joint press-conference was held.
The parties emphasized the fruitful work of the Georgian police attache deployed to the Kingdom of Sweden and underlined the efficient operational cooperation existing between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and Swedish law enforcement agencies. Moreover, the parties noted that the downward tendency can be observed in terms of crimes committed by Georgian nationals, however, the increase in the number of asylum seekers from Georgia was identified as the main problem.
After the meeting with Mr. Giorgi Gakharia, Minister for Justice and Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden stated that he does not question Georgia’s visa free regime with EU and that this issue is not part of the political agenda. Mr. Morgan Johansson expressed his readiness to consider the possibilities of reduction the timeframe for procession of applications from Georgian asylum seekers.
Mr. Giorgi Gakharia provided information to his Swedish colleague on planned measures in order to decrease the number of asylum seekers from Georgia, including the legislative initiatives related to the change of name/surname. The Importance tostrengthen future partnership was underlined.
Parties also noted that almost 100 % of readmission applications from Sweden regarding persons residing without authorization are approved and fulfilled by Georgia. The Georgian side provided information to the Swedish side on the conclusion of memorandums with Europol on 9 March of this year, which envisages the deployment of Georgian liaison officer to Europol, as well as establishment of secure communication line between Georgia and Europol.
Furthermore, parties discussed issues related to the transfer of Georgian nationals sentenced in Sweden to Georgia with the aim of serving sentences in their home country. It was noted that the parties will start negotiations on this matter, especially with regard to the conclusion of a bilateral agreement, according to which Georgian nationals convicted in Sweden will serve their sentences in Georgia.
“We think that the existing form of cooperation is quite efficient, but there is a need to further enhance it and we express our willingness to make steps forward in this direction. After the introduction of visa-free regime, the number of asylum seekers was increased. The Government of Georgia is committed to take important steps in order to prevent such case. It is important for us to ensure security, to actively cooperate with our European partners and to secure Georgia’s European aspirations” – Mr. Giorgi Gakharia stated.
According to Mr. Giorgi Gakharia, the parties agreed on several issues, including strengthening operational cooperation between the two law enforcement agencies and in fact, the decision was made that in the nearest future the similar problematic issue will no longer be raised from the side of Swedish Government.
“We have decided that the next steps will be taken in terms of signing operational agreement between the law enforcement agencies and the following decision was reflected in the memorandum which was already signed. Further, the Swedish party requested us to consider the possibility to transfer the Georgian citizens who are currently sentenced at penitentiary system in Sweden to Georgia”,-stated Mr. Giorgi Gakharia.
As for the Minister for Justice and home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, he pointed out that the meeting with his Georgian colleague was fruitful and once again emphasized the effective cooperation not only on the level of ministers but also on the operational level.
Before the official visit with the Minister for Justice and home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden, Mr. Giorgi Gakharia met the National Police Commissioner of Sweden with the delegation. It should be pointed out that Mr. Anders Thornberg was recently appointed to the position. He held his first international meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
At the meeting the successful operational cooperation between Georgia and Sweden was emphasized in which the police attache of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has great contribution. Mr. Giorgi Gakharia provided information about future reforms to the Swedish colleague.
The Swedish party held a special presentation for the Georgian delegation and introduced the work principles of the international officers.
At the meeting with Mr. Bjoern Soeder, Second Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament the results of the fruitful meeting held between the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs were particularly highlighted. Further, the discussion touched upon Georgia’s European aspirations. The Swedish side reaffirmed the full support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and non-recognition policy.
“I am very delighted that today the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia visited our Parliament. We held very fruitful discussion on bilateral cooperation between Sweden and Georgia which has a long tradition.
I think there are number of issues on parliamentary and executive levels which should be paid special attention and the meeting which was held yesterday between Vice Prime Minister of Georgia and the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden will be valuable in this direction”,-stated Mr. Bjoern Soeder, Second Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Parliament after the meeting.
The Georgian side thanked the Swedish parliamentarians for their support and once again pointed out Georgia's European aspirations as our country's top priority.
