Marking five years of the European Union´s Support to Serbia in Border Management

This week marks five years since the beginning of the European Union´s support to the Ministry of Interior`s Border Police Directorate in raising operational capacities. On top of that, this week also represents the five-year anniversary of the first joint deployment of Serbian patrols together with patrols comprised of police officers from six EU Member States. Up to the present day, the EU has supported these deployments with EUR 8 million, out of which EUR 2 million have been allocated for the procurement of special equipment for border control and surveillance.

Thanks to the EU´s support to border management, Serbia has strengthened and enhanced control over its state borders with Bulgaria and North Macedonia. More effective and more systematic procedures have been put in place, along with improved border surveillance, improved identification and registration procedures of third-country nationals crossing the border, as well as more successful combat against migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and fight against other forms of cross-border crime.

The EU support has also included over 5,000 visiting police officers from six countries – Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. This activity resulted in valuable exchange of expertise and experience with their Serbian counterparts.

Leonetta Pajer of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia said that the EU stands both for people`s mobility, but also for border protection.

“When it comes to border protection, I would like to remind you that in December 2017, Serbia signed an Integrated Border Management Agreement with the European Union worth EUR 28 milllion. The aim of this is maintaining borders that remain open for the free flow of people and goods, borders that are controlled and free of irregular activities, all in accordance with the EU principles“, said Leonetta Pajer, adding that the EU will continue to support Serbia in effective border management.

The EU does not only support Serbia in effective border management. The presence of migrants and refugees implies the need for continuous care for these groups in line with the European Union standards. For this reason, the EU shall continue to support the institutions in Serbia to provide timely and appropriate services to migrants so as to manage migration in an efficient and humane manner. This assistance ensures access to healthcare services, education and welfare. Special attention is given to unaccompanied minors and infrastructure development projects.

The EU Delegation to Serbia works closely with relevant institutions in the Republic of Serbia including the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Health, in addition to local self-governments hosting migrants and refugees.