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SARAJEVO, July 23 (FENA) - Ministers of Interior and Security of the Western Balkans and representatives of the European Union at today's video conference discussed models for a more efficient fight against irregular migration along the eastern Mediterranean route.
The conference was also attended by the Vice President of the European Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, Minister of the Interior of Austria Karl Nehammer, and representatives of Frontex and ICMPD.
Bosnia and Herzegovina was represented at the conference by Deputy Minister of Security of BiH Nedeljko Jović, Director of the Border Police of BiH Zoran Galić and Deputy Director of the Foreigners’ Affairs Service Mirsad Buzar.
Jović presented the current situation in BiH and pointed out the biggest challenges faced by security agencies in combating illegal migration and combating human trafficking.
"More than 60 thousand illegal migrants who have been registered on the territory of BiH in the past two and a half years, and the current entry of about 150 migrants a day, represent a great security and humanitarian challenge for BiH," Jović emphasized.
For a more efficient fight against illegal migration, it is necessary to strengthen the capacities of the BiH Border Police and the Foreigners’ Affairs Service, migration and asylum bodies in order to be more efficient in combating illegal migration in the country, strengthening the capacities of all police agencies in the fight amassing smuggling of migrants, and better implementation of readmission agreements.
Jović added that BiH expects material assistance from the EU, support in organizing the return of illegal migrants to their countries of origin, as well as the exchange of information and best practices.
As the pressure of illegal migration increases, it has been agreed to join forces in the fight against illegal migration. In addition to protecting the EU's external borders, support has been announced for Western Balkan countries in protecting their borders.
The joint declaration adopted today stresses that illegal border crossings would not be tolerated, it announces the acceleration of the return of people who do not need international protection to their countries of origin, as well as the exchange of information and strengthening operational cooperation in breaking up human trafficking groups, stated the Ministry of Security of BiH.
(FENA) S. R.
