Budapest Process

Since 1991, the Budapest Process (BP) stands as an informal framework for international dialogue on a range of migration issues. More than 50 governments and 10 international organisations participate in the forum. The aim of this dialogue is to develop sustainable systems for orderly migration in the countries in question. The Budapest Process encourages states in the broader European and Asian region to exchange information and best practices in the fields of legal and illegal migration, asylum, visas, border protection, people smuggling and human trafficking, readmittance and returns. In 2009, the countries of the Silk Route Region – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, China and Bangladesh – joined the BP. Turkey has held the Chairmanship of the BP since 2006. The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) serves as the Secretariat.

Switzerland’s involvement

Switzerland has been an important partner to the BP for many years. It participates actively in the working groups of the BP, particularly the Working Group on the Silk Routes Region, which develops migration cooperation with the countries along the historic Silk Route. The BP offers Switzerland and, in particular, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) an opportunity for exchange with other European partner countries and the Silk Route countries on the direction of a common migration policy and closer ties with the south-eastern states of the EU.

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Last modification 25.07.2016

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