Serbia "determined to stop fake asylum seekers"

The Serbian government is firmly committed and determined to prevent the departure of fake asylum seekers from Serbia to the EU countries. This is according to Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, who spoke in Belgrade on Wednesday. Serbia "determined to stop fake asylum seekers" At the meeting with the ambassadors of the EU, US, Russia and China accredited in Belgrade, Dacic presented numerous activities that have been taken with this aim. "Aware of the issue of bogus asylum seekers, the Serbian government expresses readiness to take all measures, both independently and in cooperation with the EU member states, with the aim of efficiently resolving the issue and preventing future occurrences of abuse of the right to asylum," Dacic pointed out. The minister specified that a total number of 10,850 Serbian citizens filed asylum requests in the EU countries from September 2009 to September 2010, adding that 4,254 of them were returned at end-2010 based on readmission agreements. Dacic recalled that, late-February 2011, the Serbian government formed a committee for monitoring the visa-free regime with the EU, whose task is to constantly monitor the issue of illegal migrants and propose measures aimed at preventing this phenomenon. He stressed that the Serbian Interior Ministry held a series of meetings with their colleagues from other countries, including Hungary and Germany, as well as that they took part in the work of international police organizations engaged in that issue. "Compared to December 2010, the number of asylum seekers was reduced by 35 percent, and Germany, Sweden and Belgium remain their chief destinations," Dacic said, adding that the number of voluntary and forced returns is greater compared to the number of new asylum requests. The Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP) has achieved positive results in maintenance of security and stability and thus contributed to the country's strategic orientation - inclusion in the European integration trends, Ivica Dacic also stated on Wednesday. Dacic underscored at a meeting with ambassadors of the EU countries, the U.S., the Russian Federation and China, who are accredited in Serbia, that the previous period was marked by efficient fight against all forms of crime and corruption. Dacic said that he is satisfied that this meeting was held, and expressed expectation that such talks will be organized next year as well and thus become traditional. He underlined that a special focus was laid on development of all forms of international cooperation as an important precondition for successful fight against any threat to security of the country and citizens. Dacic said that public peace and order have been preserved in spite of the increased number of public gatherings, whereas the number of offenses has been reduced. According to him, the tendency of reduction of international and inter-confessional incidents has been continued, while all minorities in Serbia have been guaranteed protection and security. He said that security has been maintained at the state borders where the Integrated Border Management Strategy is being implemented with special focus on technical training of the border police. “Stability has been preserved in the areas of land security zone and the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, although the possibility of terrorist activities in this area still exists,” Dacic said. (Beta)

Serbia "determined to stop fake asylum seekers"

At the meeting with the ambassadors of the EU, US, Russia and China accredited in Belgrade, Dačić presented numerous activities that have been taken with this aim.

"Aware of the issue of bogus asylum seekers, the Serbian government expresses readiness to take all measures, both independently and in cooperation with the EU member states, with the aim of efficiently resolving the issue and preventing future occurrences of abuse of the right to asylum," Dačić pointed out.

The minister specified that a total number of 10,850 Serbian citizens filed asylum requests in the EU countries from September 2009 to September 2010, adding that 4,254 of them were returned at end-2010 based on readmission agreements.

Dačić recalled that, late-February 2011, the Serbian government formed a committee for monitoring the visa-free regime with the EU, whose task is to constantly monitor the issue of illegal migrants and propose measures aimed at preventing this phenomenon.

He stressed that the Serbian Interior Ministry held a series of meetings with their colleagues from other countries, including Hungary and Germany, as well as that they took part in the work of international police organizations engaged in that issue.

"Compared to December 2010, the number of asylum seekers was reduced by 35 percent, and Germany, Sweden and Belgium remain their chief destinations," Dačić said, adding that the number of voluntary and forced returns is greater compared to the number of new asylum requests.

The Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP) has achieved positive results in maintenance of security and stability and thus contributed to the country's strategic orientation - inclusion in the European integration trends, Ivica Dačić also stated on Wednesday.

Dačić underscored at a meeting with ambassadors of the EU countries, the U.S., the Russian Federation and China, who are accredited in Serbia, that the previous period was marked by efficient fight against all forms of crime and corruption.

Dačić said that he is satisfied that this meeting was held, and expressed expectation that such talks will be organized next year as well and thus become traditional.

He underlined that a special focus was laid on development of all forms of international cooperation as an important precondition for successful fight against any threat to security of the country and citizens.

Dačić said that public peace and order have been preserved in spite of the increased number of public gatherings, whereas the number of offenses has been reduced.

According to him, the tendency of reduction of international and inter-confessional incidents has been continued, while all minorities in Serbia have been guaranteed protection and security.

He said that security has been maintained at the state borders where the Integrated Border Management Strategy is being implemented with special focus on technical training of the border police.

“Stability has been preserved in the areas of land security zone and the municipalities of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa, although the possibility of terrorist activities in this area still exists,” Dačić said.