Norway’s Minister of Justice and Public Security, Emilie Mehl, has reiterated that individuals residing in Norway without legal status—Ethiopians included—must return to their home countries swiftly and efficiently.
In a statement released by the Norwegian government, it was emphasized that efforts are underway to strengthen cooperation with countries of origin, including Ethiopia, to streamline the return process.
Mehl recently held discussions with Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Timothewos Hessebon, who also oversees migration matters. These talks come in the wake of stricter visa regulations imposed by Norway and the European Union on Ethiopians earlier in 2024 due to what was described as inadequate cooperation on migration issues.
Progress on Returns of Irregular Migrants
Ethiopia has recently agreed to take back its citizens who have been living in Norway without proper documentation, many of whom have spent years in asylum reception centers. Facilitating these returns has been described as a significant financial relief for Norwegian society.
“I thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ethiopia’s efforts and expressed a desire to establish better and more efficient systems for handling these processes,” Mehl noted.
ID Delegations to Smooth the Return Process
To ease the identification and return of irregular migrants, Ethiopia has dispatched several ID delegations to Norway. These delegations work to clarify individual identities, an essential step for facilitating the return process.
Minister Mehl emphasized the importance of improving routines for ID verification, reducing case processing times, and ensuring Norwegian representatives—alongside interpreters—are present during these visits to expedite procedures.
“I appreciate Ethiopia’s willingness to cooperate and accept its own citizens back. If we see consistent progress, Norway may be open to lifting visa restrictions in 2025,” Mehl stated.
Advocating for Regular Migration
Both ministers underscored the shared belief that migration should occur through lawful and organized pathways. The Ethiopian side called for enhanced cooperation on labor migration, an area they view as crucial for fostering closer ties between the two nations.
Without structured migration frameworks, the ministers warned of increased movement towards destinations like southern Africa, Europe, and the Gulf States, as people search for work opportunities.
To address the broader issue, Norway has enacted stricter migration policies aimed at better controlling irregular arrivals while advocating for a system that prioritizes regular and legal migration pathways.