Neighbours Switzerland and Germany want to combat the criminal smuggling networks on both sides of the border and ensure the systematic implementation of returns, the Swiss justice ministry said in a statementExternal link on Tuesday.
Cross-border search operations must be intensified, and greater use made of joint patrols to check rail traffic, it said.
“It is important that each country does its part, but without international coordination and consultation between neighbours we cannot effectively combat irregular migration,” Keller-Sutter said after the signing.
Faeser underlined the importance of close cooperation with neighbours, while insisting on the need to maintain open borders between Switzerland and Germany. She welcomed the fact that the joint action plan will make it possible to control migratory movements while avoiding the use of cumbersome measures, such as the temporary reintroduction of border controls.
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Swiss asylum authorities able to ease the burden on cantons
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Migration authorities have boosted capacities over the past month to cope with the exceptionally high numbers of asylum seekers.
The action plan promotes the registration of migrants and the carrying out of deportations.
“The aim of Switzerland and Germany is to prevent people who do not need protection from overloading the asylum system,” said the justice ministry.
The European Union’s border police Frontex said last month that 281,000 irregular entries had been recorded throughout the bloc in the first 10 months of 2022, up 77% from a year before and the highest since 2016.
With the Western Balkans route currently the most active, and the EU welcoming several million Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war, worries about immigration have returned to the fore. In recent months growing numbers of migrants have entered Switzerland and Germany via the western Balkans and central Mediterranean migration routes.
The consequence for Switzerland: nearly 700 people are arriving every week at its eastern border – about three times as many as last winter, it was reported in October. Although applications for refugee status have increased, most of these migrants don’t have any desire to stay in Switzerland. They want to continue on to France or Britain.
An investigation at the beginning of October by Swiss public television, SRFExternal link, found that Switzerland was allowing migrants to transit to neighbouring countries instead of sending them back as demanded.
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Switzerland criticised for ‘waving through’ migrants
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German authorities have criticised Switzerland for allowing migrants to transit to neighbouring countries.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Zurich laboratory finds intestinal bacteria in coffee machines
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Last year, the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory found defects in one in four samples of milk drinks from coffee machines. Too many intestinal bacteria were found in a number of samples.
SWISS Belgrade-Zurich flight forced to land in Germany
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Swiss flight LX1413 from Belgrade to Zurich had to make an unscheduled landing today in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.
New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting
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A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.
Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
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The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.
Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
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The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.
Chihuahua leads Swiss rescue team to owner stuck in a crevasse
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A Chihuahua helped to rescue a man on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee VS on Friday. It alerted a rescue team to its owner who had fallen into a crevasse.
Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
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According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.
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The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
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Deportation policy questioned after suicide of Afghan asylum-seeker
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Some 500 people demonstrated in Geneva to express anger and sadness after an 18-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker took his own life last week.
Inside Geneva: Q&A on migration, asylum, and refugees
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This week on the Inside Geneva podcast, we answer questions from our listeners about migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
Swiss migration authorities struggling with ‘overlapping crises’
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The Swiss migration head says federal asylum centres are full and the situation is unprecedented since the Second World War.
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The large influx of refugees has filled accommodation centres to bursting point, obliging the Swiss authorities to distribute more asylum seekers to cantons.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.