Sten Ask: Inflow of Bulgarians to Sweden Normalizes

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | February 26, 2003, Wednesday // 00:00
Sten Ask: Inflow of Bulgarians to Sweden Normalizes

H. E. Sten Ask has been Sweden's Ambassador to Bulgaria since 1998. He has substantial diplomatic experience. He has doctor's degree in Economics from the University of Stochholm. Before coming to Bulgaria, he was director of the department of European Integration with Sweden's Foreign Ministry.

H.E. Sten Ask answered questions of Milena Hristova, Editor of the News and novinite.com

Q: The huge influx of Bulgarian immigrants to Sweden has been curbed over the last several weeks. Would you name some of the measures that were introduced?

A: We have established close and fruitful co-operation with both central and local Bulgarian authorities, including the police and mayors from certain regions, in this venture. A special Bulgarian emissary was immediately sent to Sweden in order to exchange views and co-ordinate procedures for handling this problem.

In Sweden the Migration Board has speeded up the procedures to examine each case individually in a matter of only a few days. After fast decisions - the applications have so far been rejected in all cases - the immigrants have quickly been sent back to Bulgaria via bus.

We have also launched an information campaign together with the Swedish Migration Board to inform the Bulgarian public about the conditions for being granted asylum respectively the rules for obtaining a work permit in Sweden. We have published advertisements in the daily papers "Trud" and "24 hours" at three occasions with this information. We also have given several interviews in other newspapers as well as in radio and television. In co-operation with the Consular directorate at the foreign ministry I gave a press conference last Wednesday, which generated substantial media coverage.

It is our belief that this information can be helpful and warn Bulgarians to leave for Sweden, which not seldom is done on false premises.

Q: Do you expect another increase in the number of Bulgarian immigrants to Sweden?

A: After the measures taken by the authorities of our countries and in the light of the information campaign, I don't expect another wave of Bulgarians. The indications are that the inflow of Bulgarians to Sweden has reached more normal levels after our efforts.

Q: Some one hundred Bulgarians have not been found in Sweden. Was your preliminary conclusion that they have left the country confirmed?

A: No, we have no confirmation but the Migration Board assume, as they have not found them anywhere in Sweden, that they have left the country.

Q: Can you describe the typical Bulgarian asylum seeker in Sweden? Where do most of them come from?

A: Most of them come from Shumen, Turgovishte, Russe, Varna , Pleven and Plovdiv and a few come from Sofia. 90 % of the asylum seekers have been Roma.

Q: What are Sweden's requirements to asylum-seekers?

A: Grounds for asylum are exposure to political, religious, ethical or other kinds of persecution in the person's country of origin or country of domicile.

I can say that as a candidate country to EU and close future political partner, the political conditions in this country do not qualify for asylum in Sweden. Each case is, however, judged on its own merits, but no Bulgarian has in recent years been granted asylum in Sweden.

Q: Do Bulgarians cite religious persecution as a reason for seeking asylum in Sweden?

A: No.

Q: The number of Bulgarians in Finland has increased from 50 in January to 300 in February. Do you expect Finland's Embassy to introduce similar measures, provided that this trend continues?

A: I have, of course, had informal discussions and exchanged views with my colleague the Finnish Ambassador. I am confident that the Finnish embassy and authorities will, if necessary, take proper measures that are relevant for the situation.

Q: Under what circumstances can we expect Sweden to consider introducing again visa regime again with Bulgaria?

A: To re-introduce a visa regime with Bulgaria is not under consideration. But hypothetically speaking, if that should be the case in the future, the Swedish Government would at that very moment explain the circumstances. I am optimistic that this will not be the case.

Q: How would you comment the statement of Sweden's Foreign Minister Anna Lindth, who criticized the US of exercising pressure on East European countries that signed a declaration of support for US?

A: I have nothing further to add to this comment.

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