EU and Western Balkan Partners Discuss Measures to Strengthen Migration and Border Management

On the first day of the annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs, ministers reaffirmed that migration management is a common challenge as well as a shared responsibility that has to be addressed, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

According to the Council of the EU, ministers agreed to enhance the monitoring of trends along the Western Balkan migratory route and to strengthen border management. In addition, they also agreed to increase the presence and mandate of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in the region.

“The EU and the Western Balkans welcomed the signature of the Frontex Status Agreement with North Macedonia and affirmed that new Frontex Status Agreements with Western Balkan partners should be negotiated and concluded without delay,” the statement of the Council reads.

Additionally, the Council pointed out that the EU also welcomed the Western Balkan partners’ commitment to align their visa policy with the visa policy that the EU has, including here a clear commitment by Serbia to introduce visa requirements for nationals of several third countries.

Apart from the above-mentioned, the partners highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation with airlines and with countries of origin on the issue of migration. It has been highlighted that these measures are of prime importance in order to address abuses impacting the migration as well as asylum systems of many Member States of the EU.

Measures are also crucial for the sustainability and good functioning of the visa-free regimes between the EU and the Western Balkan countries.

During their meeting in Tirana, the EU and Western Balkans also welcomed efforts to combat migrant smuggling. The authorities already launched yesterday a regional Anti-Smuggling Operational Partnership to strengthen judicial cooperation against smuggling networks.

The Council stressed that the operations would be supported by the EU funds and the same revealed that operations include a new regional programme of €30 million to combat the trafficking of human beings and migrant smuggling.

“Both sides agreed on the importance of carrying out returns and fully implementing relevant readmission agreements, and committed to exchanging best practices in relation to cooperation on readmission with third countries along the route,” the Council added.

Previously, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reported that the sharpest increase of illegal entries into the EU in the first half of 2022 was registered on the Western Balkan route. Frontex registered a total of 55,321 illegal crossings on this route.