Commissioner Johansson Visits the Obrenovac Reception Center for Migrants and Border with Bulgaria

During a two-day visit to Serbia, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson visited the Reception Center in Obrenovac, recently renovated under the EU Support to Migration Management in Serbia. Accompanied by EU Ambassador to Serbia Sem Fabrizi, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Vladimir Cucić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Bojan Jocić, Assistant Minister of Finance Marko Jovanović and Obrenovac Municipal Council Member Dragan Mladenović, the Commissioner visited accommodation and food facilities within the Centre and talked with several beneficiaries.

As part of the EU Support to Migration Management in Serbia, four accommodation buildings, a kitchen, two heat substations, as well as a control room and infrastructure were reconstructed in the former military facility “Bora Markovic” in the municipality of Obrenovac. Furthermore, the Centre and its facilities (living space, educational centre, library, kitchen, dining room) are adequately equipped in accordance with European standards. 

“It is important to show in action how EU support works in Serbia. It is crucial to build a long-lasting and orderly migration management system. No country can do it alone. Not only within the EU, but we must do it together with our partners. Cooperation is crucial. Migration is not a new phenomenon, it has always existed and will never stop. That is why we are here to strengthen cooperation – border control, smuggling prevention, migration management, and other areas of the rule of law. Migrants bring new energy. Like all people have their hopes and dreams. We are all human beings who have our dignity,” said Commissioner Johansson.

She also visited the border crossing to Bulgaria, where the beginning of joint work of members of “Frontex” (European Agency for Border Control and Coast Guard) and the Serbian Border Police was marked.

Johansson arrived at the border with the EU Ambassador to Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, where they were welcomed by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin. On this occasion, the Commissioner pointed out that the joint work of “Frontex” and the Serbian Border Police is important for the prevention of international, cross-border and other types of crime, as well as irregular entry. 

“I am satisfied and personally I am very happy to be here today. Irregular migrations take place across the border and that is why it is very important that we work together to prevent such activities. I am proud of “Frontex”, an agency from which we all expect a lot and which is developing more and more in its activities every day,” said Johansson.