"Serbia reliable EU partner against illegal migration"

"Serbia reliable EU partner against illegal migration"

Illegal migration in Europe is one of the biggest challenges for the European Union and candidate countries, such as Serbia, the Serbian Prime Minister said.

She pointed out that it is the responsibility of everyone to deal with those challenges responsibly.

That is precisely why I believe that the motto of the Austrian presidency of the EU Council - "The Europe that protects" is chosen well, as well as the focus on security and illegal migration issues, Brnabic underlined.

Austria will take over the presidency of the EU Council on 1 July.

In her speech, Brnabic pointed out that all European countries should show more determination and readiness for change in order to achieve stability and progress.

Brnabic emphasized that she is proud of Serbia in that respect, because during the migration crisis Serbia proved to be a committed and responsible partner, showing a high degree of humanity.

The best example is that this year 472 migrant children are attending our schools in 43 schools in Serbia, the Prime Minister said.

At the same time, Serbia is committed to protecting the borders and preventing the entry of illegal migrants into the country. She specified that 39 criminal charges have been filed since the beginning of this year until mid-June for the illegal crossing of the state border and the smuggling of people against 74 perpetrators, which involved the attempted smuggling of 399 persons.

When it comes to the legal framework, she said that the new Law on asylum and temporary protection was adopted, as well as the Law on foreigners and the Law on border control.

It is important to point out that the Strategy and Action Plan for Integrated Border Management that was harmonized with the concept of the European Union was adopted, and we drafted a Strategy for Combating Irregular Migration, Brnabic said in her speech.

Within the framework of regional cooperation, we have established mixed patrols with bordering countries - Hungary, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Bulgaria.

We will soon also start the work of mixed patrols with the Republic of Croatia, she underlined.

Brnabic said that Europe needs a unique approach to migration management, whose focus, in addition to security, is respect for humanitarian standards and values.

The government and citizens of Serbia have shown this humanity in the best way in relation to refugees, the Prime Minister underlined.

Brnabic said that the issue of illegal migration must be resolved jointly because this is not the problem of only one state or one region. Serbia has shown its responsibility and willingness to cooperate with everyone in the region in that area, which is confirmed by a strong commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.

The Europe Vahau Forum is held this year under the slogan "Doing less more efficiently!".

The aim is to consider the current political, security and economic challenges that Europe is facing.