ICMPD director general received by Serbian officials

ICMPD director general received by Serbian officials

In a conversation with the Austrian politician, Joksimovic said Serbia was committed to finding a comprehensive European solution, adding that Austria could continue to count on partner relations and Serbia's responsible approach to the migrant crisis.

Migration is yet another reason why the EU should open Chapters 23 and 24 with Serbia, the minister noted.

Joksimovic and Spindelegger discussed further concrete steps and the assistance that the ICMPD could provide, notably those that could be taken at local level in an effort to find sustainable solutions for integration.

Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic also received Spindelegger and discussed "the current migration situation and improving cooperation on migration policy."

Stefanovic informed Spindelegger about the current situation with regard to migration crisis, stressing that Serbia is investing great efforts in order to respond adequately to this problem.

They also discussed the Strategy for 2020, which represents a five-year document on cooperation among the countries of ICMPD in the implementation of migration policies, the Ministry of the Interior said in a statement.

While in Belgrade, the ICMPD official was also received by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who "congratulated Spindelegger on taking office, underlining the center's importance in the circumstances of huge migrant inflows to the continent," the MFA said.

Spindelegger said the ICMPD, as a forum dealing with the issues of irregular migration, human trafficking, border management, asylum, legal migration and integration, would give even stronger support to member states.

Dacic and Spindelegger "agreed that a common EU decision on how to manage the migrant crisis would be key to solving the current situation."