BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 11. Sweden and
Uzbekistan have signed their first intergovernmental agreement on
migration, which establishes a legal framework for promoting labor
mobility, educational exchanges, and strengthening ties between the
two countries.
This was reflected in a statement by the Uzbek Migration
Agency.
The Agreement on Migration and Mobility, along with a joint
declaration on the implementation of a pilot mobility program, was
signed by the governments of Uzbekistan and Sweden. Uzbekistan
described the documents as a state-guaranteed mechanism regulating
opportunities for Uzbek citizens to legally work, study, and reside
in Sweden.
Under the agreement, the two countries will cooperate in
training qualified professionals for the Swedish labor market,
particularly in healthcare, engineering, services, and caregiving.
The initiative also envisages the creation of mechanisms to connect
Uzbek job seekers with Swedish employers and expand academic
exchange opportunities for students, doctoral candidates, and young
researchers.
The agreement includes additional measures to protect the rights
of migrants and their family members, while also providing for
simplified visa procedures and the introduction of a 30-day
visa-free regime for holders of diplomatic passports.
The sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in combating
irregular migration, human trafficking, and document fraud through
enhanced joint mechanisms.
As part of the broader partnership, a pilot program will be
launched with the support of the International Organization for
Migration (IOM). The program will assess labor market demand in
Sweden and introduce Swedish language and vocational training
courses aimed at preparing Uzbek citizens for employment
opportunities in the country.
