With reference to speculation in media regarding visa suspension for MK, the Embassy of Sweden wishes to point out the following:
”Sweden strongly supports the introduction of a suspension mechanism into the existing set of regulations. Contrary to the reports in some media there is nothing in the Swedish position that has changed in this regard. The internal EU deliberations regarding the text on this mechanism are still ongoing. As it stands, the text for the mechanism is neutrally worded and not specifically aimed at the asylum trend from the Western Balkans. Importantly, Swedish support for the introduction of the suspension mechanism does not imply that Sweden will automatically be in favor of its immediate use and the Swedish Minister has not written to this end to his EU colleagues as has been stated in the media.
The Swedish Government is very well aware of how important the newly accorded visa free regime is for the citizens and countries of the Western Balkan but the manner in which this freedom has been used is not acceptable. Sweden is one of the EU member states most affected by the asylum seeker trend with appr. 20.000 applicants from the region since the introduction of the visa free regime began in 2009. Sweden is worried about the high number of asylum seekers from the Western Balkans, of whom in principle no one is granted residence permit. It is our hope that the current situation in the Western Balkans can be dealt with as soon as possible by a combination of short-term and long term measures. The latter would include further efforts to improve the social situation of minorities and vulnerable groups."

Lars Wahlund, Ambassador of Sweden to Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia