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BIHAĆ, January 25 (FENA) - Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees Drahoslav Štefanek visited all temporary reception camps in that part of BiH during a multi-day visit to the Una-Sana Canton (USC), and talked with representatives of local and cantonal authorities on the current situation with migrants and refugees.
"Our plan was to see for ourselves the living conditions of migrants and refugees. I also talked to the representatives of the authorities in the canton, in order to get a complete insight of all the events and needs of the local population. In the continuation of the visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I plan to meet and talk with the highest state political officials, as well as representatives of relevant agencies and other stakeholders so that I can form a valid, detailed and concrete report on the current situation," said Štefanek.
He denied some allegations that the purpose of his visit was actually to negotiate the reopening of the Migration Center "Bira" in downtown Bihać.
"I have to deny it immediately, I have nothing to do with it, I am only interested in respecting human rights. It is true that I visited the recently closed camp for a short time because as part of this visit, I also wanted to talk to the citizens of Bihać who have been protesting there for a long time. I wanted to hear both the opinion and the needs of the local population, that was really all. I am sorry that someone misused it," added the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees.
The Prime Minister of the Una-Sana Canton also confirmed this, emphasizing that they discussed everything that was happening recently, as well as certain guidelines for further behavior and actions within the migration process.
"There was absolutely no discussion about the closed center 'Bira'. Our position has been well known since September 30 last year. We informed Mr. Štefanek in detail about the complete situation and discussed the need for coordinated and better management of this process. Of course, we hope that we will have the maximum support of the Council of Europe in everything," said the Cantonal Prime Minister Ružnić.
The CoE Special Representative Drahoslav Štefanek will continue his working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the capital of BiH.
(FENA) S. R.
