The Macedonian Government is doing everything to reduce the number of illegal asylum seekers originating from Macedonia, which unfortunately are still present in Western countries, by taking preventive and repressive measures meant to discourage abuse of the visa regime, said Minister of Internal Affairs Gordana Jankulovska, addressing at the forum “EU – Western Balkans”, held in Budva.
- I emphasized that our focus is put on improving the living conditions of vulnerable categories, which come from Macedonia according to the detected Profile of bogus asylum seekers, Jankuloska said today to MIA.
One of the main topics was post-visa liberalization or the monitoring of the situation and the number of false asylum seekers and border management, primarily when it comes to illegal migration considering that Western Balkans countries are on the western route which is hit the most by migrants coming from Africa and Asia.
The Forum focus is placed on illegal migration and their prevention when it comes to migration of the risk areas.
Jankuloska indicated to the attendees that the Republic of Macedonia as a country that is practically at the external border of the European Union, is facing a serious problem of migrants coming through the southern border.
- I took the opportunity to emphasize that the fight against illegal migration can not be left to only one country, owing to the fact that this fight requires regional capacity and regional response. In this regard I stressed that Macedonia as a country that is practically at the external border of the EU, is facing a serious problem of migrants coming through the southern border and in contrast to all other neighboring countries that have different models of border management that include intensive daily cooperation, Jankulovska says.
Unfortunately the cooperation with Greece is not on the level as the Macedonian side wants it to be.
Jankuloska met with colleagues from Montenegro and Kosovo, Rajko Konjevic and Bajram Rexhepi, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic.
The meeting, Jankuloska said, focused on issues of bilateral interest.
The participants in the two-day forum “EU – Western Balkans” in Budva debate on the ministries of interior and justice work, as well as on issues of greatest interest to the Western Balkans regarding the European Union.
The Minister of Justice Blerim Bedzeti also attend meeting, and is scheduled to address on the reform of the judicial system in Macedonia.
Two agreements will be signed in Budva, as informed by Bedzeti’s Cabinet, relating to international cooperation in criminal and civil matters and the mutual enforcement of court decisions in criminal cases.
Bedzeti will also have bilateral meetings with his counterparts.