Keepin touch

Whether you have a question, comment, suggestion or any problem falling within the competence of the Government, send us your message and we will try to respond as soon as possible. If your problem does not fall within our competence, we will forward your message to the competent institution.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia ready for cooperation in solving migrant crisis

Belgrade, 15 January 2016

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic requested from the EU today to establish a unique policy towards migrants which Serbia will follow and implement, as a loyal partner.

Serbia ready for cooperation in solving migrant crisis

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stlylianides, Vucic said that it would be very bad if the EU does not define a single policy in this matter and if every country applies one-sided, unilateral measures.

When representatives of a country say they will not accept members of a nation, such a position must be agreed on the level of the Union, or at least Serbia should be informed about it on time so that it could react, the Prime Minister underlined.

He pointed out that the migrant crisis is still ongoing since 2,887 migrants entered our country yesterday, while the average daily number of migrants is 2,500.

Vucic thanked the European Commissioner for the significant assistance provided by the EU to Serbia during the refugee crisis and on the decision of the EU to open an office for humanitarian affairs in Belgrade.

Serbia will successfully implement every task it is assigned by the EU as a serious and responsible country while protecting the rights of migrants and human rights, but it will also do what is agreed and what is the overall policy of the Union, he underlined.

According to him, Serbia is only a transit country for migrants because their final destinations are the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and other highly-developed countries.

Vucic thanked Stlylianides and his country Cyprus on the huge support they provided in the EU’s decision to open the first negotiation chapters with Serbia.

We want to belong to the European family of nations. I am confident that, with your help, we can build a European, democratic society that will grow economically, the Prime Minister said.

Stlylianides underlined that Serbia is a key partner of the EU and noted that during the refugee crisis, which is not only a European and national crisis, but global as well, Serbia has been doing a job that should be admired.

He said that he spoke with the Serbian Prime Minister about four key questions, and these are Serbia’s management of the crisis, humanitarian aid, finding solutions to the refugee crisis, and the participation of Serbia in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Serbia is doing an admirable job, under very difficult conditions, the European Commissioner reiterated and praised the work of national and regional authorities, and of border officials and civil society, who have the same goal - to help those fleeing the war.

Stlylianides stated that the EU will continue to support Serbia with regard to the refugee crisis, recalling that in December last year it allocated an additional €13 million for humanitarian aid.

According to him, a strong coordination is required between regional, national and local competent authorities and humanitarian community on the ground.

By working as a team we can provide a more efficient response, he explained, adding that the international community must focus on the roots of the crisis and find political solutions to conflicts.