prijava
SARAJEVO, April 28 (FENA) - Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotić talked today with Minister of Interior of the Republic of Austria Karl Nehammer about enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the field of security and migration management.
Cikotić and Nehammer signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening cooperation for a more efficient fight against illegal migration, after which the Minister of Security of BiH emphasized that Austria is one of the key partners of our country in the fight against many security challenges.
“BiH and Austria cooperate on numerous security issues, but the fight against migrant smuggling and illegal migration in terms of border control and stay and movement of migrants is one of the key issues that all countries in the region are facing. BiH and Austria have a special role on the so-called Western Balkan route. We also talked about achieving international security, we commented on the need for inter-institutional cooperation, and on solving many other security challenges such as organized crime, human trafficking, threats of terrorism, trafficking in narcotics, weapons and the like,” said Cikotić.
He thanked the Republic of Austria for assistance provided for BiH in the past few months regarding the fight against illegal migration, which refers to the financial assistance of 500,000 euros and accommodation containers that will be placed in the Lipa migrant camp.
The officials also discussed voluntary and forced readmission of migrants. Cikotić emphasizes that the return of migrants to their countries of origin is one of the most important mechanisms, and that Austria is ready to support BiH in that regard by financing charter flights that would return migrants to their countries.
Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Austria, Nehammer, said that BiH has made great efforts to protect its borders and prevent the passage of illegal migrants further west.
“With the support of BiH, last year we managed to form the Frontex platform with the aim of curbing the migrant crisis. North Macedonia and BiH will join the strategy. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding today which also deals with cybercrime and will strengthen the fight against terrorism. Austria will support BiH in its efforts to become a full member of Frontex,” Nehammer concluded.
(FENA) A. B.
