Meeting Held on Migrant Issues and BIH Border Protection

Meeting Held on Migrant Issues and BIH Border Protection 

The representatives of security institutions briefed Chairman Zvizdić of the current development in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning the migrant inflow and illegal border crossings. They said that the cause of further stay of migrants in our country is both the incompliance with readmission agreements by the states illegal migrants come from to BIH and non-existing agreements with the illegal migrants’ states of origin.

The meeting stressed that due to measures and activities undertaken by the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in July, the number of illegal entries to Bosnia and Herzegovina decreased in comparison with the previous period of time, and the trend is expected to continue.

Chairman Zvizdić said that one of the top priorities is to protect border of Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to prevent further increase of illegal entries, and required all competent institutions to continue with strengthening of border area control by way of increased police staffing, prevention of illegal entries and prevention of migrant smuggling. He especially pointed at the importance and urgency of solving the issue of migrant accommodation in the area of Unsko-Sanski Canton, emphasising the commitment of the Council of Ministers of BIH to take humane approach and act pursuant to the relevant internal laws and international standards. Bosnia and Herzegovina endorses the EU policy and wants to be a part of a common solution, and in regard to that the continuation of international financial and technical support is expected to arrive.

The meeting was attended by the Intelligence-Security Agency Director-General Osman Mehmedagić, Directorate for Police Bodies Coordination Director Mirsad Vilić, State Agency for Investigations and Protection Director Pertica Stanić, Foreigners’ Affairs Service Director Slobodan Ujić, and BIH Border Police Assistant Director for Organisation and Operation Slobodan Krsrić.

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