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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Migrant crisis far beyond national boundaries

Belgrade/Bratislava, 20 September 2016

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic warned today in Bratislava that migrants continue to enter the territory of the Western Balkans and go to EU countries, and that there is still no common solution for complete control of this problem.

Following the 3rd Prague Process Ministerial Conference themed “Joint addressing of the challenges", he said that it is important to provide an answer as to how to deal with economic migrants and how to beat the illegal crossing of the border and fight the traffickers.

Stefanovic said that these are the questions which Serbia makes to other countries as well, and underlined that our country, together with partners and neighbours, wants to find a solution that will enable better border control.

According to the Minister, the migrant crisis must be resolved where the problem originated - in the countries of origin of migrants.

Serbia is firm in its stance that every country on the migrant route should take its share of the burden and responsibility, Stefanovic stated.

He noted that this is one of the most complex problems in modern European history, which is far beyond national boundaries and which is why it requires a comprehensive and long-term solution, which cannot only be a unilateral closure of borders.

This crisis is not the past, it is, unfortunately, the future of Europe, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Stefanovic pointed out that Serbia has been insisting on a common solution for a longer period of time, but that so far it has not received clear guidelines and plans and the lack of a single stance only aggravates the whole situation.

Thanks to funding from the budget, but also from foreign donors, Serbia has provided accommodation facilities for 6,000 people, Stefanovic said, adding that 13 reception centres have been formed, in addition to permanent asylum centres, where migrants have at their disposal all necessary assistance 24 hours a day - food, water, clothing, footwear, medicines, and medical care.