Minister Nuhodžić in Brussels: As reliable partner of EU, Montenegro is set to tackle mass migrations

Brussels, Belgium (19 June 2018) -- Interior Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić noted earlier today in Brussels that Montenegro, as a reliable partner of the European Union, has taken all necessary measures to successfully face a possible wave of illegal migrations, adding that all European countries need to cooperate closely in order to reduce mass migration’s risks to a minimum in the interests of the whole of Europe.

"In 2015, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Action Plan in case of a large influx of migrants, which is in line with international standards. The plan covers the locations of possible crossings at the borders of Montenegro, logistics centres, human resources, accommodation capacities, health and social protection, legal assistance, transport and, of course, security issues. We have set up the Coordination Committee and the Operational Team for the implementation of the plan. The adoption of the Law on International and Temporary Protection of Foreigners and the Law on Foreigners additionally enhanced the normative framework," said Minister Nuhodžić at a meeting attended, at the invitation of the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos, by interior ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Austria.

Minister Nuhodžić also said that Montenegro has established joint border patrols with all neighbouring countries and that it has developed good cooperation with Frontex and that it has been consistently implementing readmission agreements.

"This is an important step towards accession to the European Union, given that the new Enlargement Strategy defines six priority areas, one of which concerns security and migration," the Interior Minister stressed.

He called for closer cooperation of the countries in dealing with the issue of illegal migration, saying that the problem need to be resolved jointly, with an emphasis on respecting humanitarian standards and human rights.

"Montenegro is ready to take all measures to achieve close cooperation with its neighbours, with countries of possible destinations, as well as countries of origin, with a view to tackling the mass migration issue more efficiently," said Minister Nuhodžić.

European Commissioner Avramopoulos said at a meeting that he expects from the Western Balkans countries to strengthen capacities of the border police, accommodation capacities and reception centres, as well as to harmonise their legislation in the fields of migration, international protection, visa policy and border protection with the EU acquis. He underscored that the Western Balkans can count on the full support of the European Commission in terms of border management and assistance in financial, expert and technical terms.

At today's meeting, the EU Commissioner for Migration, the EU Security Commissioner and the interior ministers of the Council of Europe confirmed their commitment to further intensifying cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans and the European Union in terms of strengthening border security, as well as the fight against organised crime, terrorism and illegal arms trafficking.

The meeting was also attended by Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) Fabrice Leggeri.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO