The Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Soreca, stated that the engagement of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in BiH will be pivotal in tackling challenges such as illegal migration, smuggling, human trafficking, and the misuse of the visa-free regime.
“With its expertise and resources, Frontex will also enhance cooperation between police agencies and relevant authorities, which is vital for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path,” noted Soreca.
He emphasized that the initialing of the agreement with Frontex is a testament to the partnership between BiH and the EU, reflecting their shared commitment to security, stability, and cooperation in this field.
“BiH is not facing significant challenges on its own, and the EU is here to provide support. We share a joint responsibility to address the challenges of illegal migration through BiH,” Soreca stated during his address at the signing ceremony for the agreement between BiH and the EU on Frontex’s operational activities in BiH.
Henrik Nielsen, Director for Schengen, Borders, and Visas at the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, noted that several weeks after the formal signing of the agreement, expected in February next year, Frontex personnel would be deployed on the ground.
“This aligns with our joint efforts to combat illegal migration and smuggling. The number of illegal migrants traveling through the Western Balkans has significantly decreased, thanks to the efforts of all partners, including BiH,” Nielsen added.
Mirko Kuprešaković, head of BiH’s negotiation team with Frontex, expressed hope that Frontex officers would soon join the Border Police on the ground to secure BiH’s borders and the EU’s borders more effectively.
“I hope that after initialing, further alignments will take place in the coming period, and the final text of the agreement will be signed,” said Kuprešaković, who also serves as the Director of the Border Police of BiH.
He highlighted that the BiH delegation had a challenging task during negotiations with the EU Delegation to finalize the agreement on Frontex’s activities in BiH.
The agreement on Frontex’s operational activities in BiH was officially initialed today in Sarajevo.
Source: RTRS
