The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Elmedin Konakovic, visited the Temporary Reception Centre “Lipa” yesterday, where he was informed about the complete current situation through a conversation with the authorities.
The reasons for his arrival were different information about the readmission process of migrants from the Republic of Croatia to BiH, as well as the construction of a detention center within this center for the reception of migrants.
“Various information appeared in the media these days that were a little worrying and that required a quick check to see if things were under control. That’s why I immediately decided to come, to see for myself what the current situation is on the spot and through a conversation with the authorities because none of us wants to see what we have seen happen in the past, which is that Krajina alone suffers the consequences of the migrant crisis. When it comes to the readmission of migrants from the Republic of Croatia, the numbers are a bit higher lately, but they are not worrying. This process also takes place at other border crossings, that is, other migrant centers in BiH, so it is not just Lipa. Also, we are also working with Serbia, so we are doing our part,” Minister Konakovic stated.
Moreover, Konakovic emphasized that the construction of the detention center was presented to him as a kind of operational facilitation of action in the field, and not as the construction of some prison units.
“It is a space for short-term detention of migrants, who need a security check. Nevertheless, it is good that we updated these two topics on time, and I really think that they are completely under control. Neither the trends nor the numbers are so worrying, given that there are currently just over 300 people in this center. I also contacted BiH Security Minister Nesic, who will also be here soon. After everything, I can only say that all the BiH institutions are with the citizens and authorities of Bihac and the Una-Sana Canton (USC). We will not allow the scenario of the past to repeat itself. I am pretty sure that this will be the summer of tourism in USC, not the problematic situation with migrants,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH added.
The meeting was also attended by the mayor of Bihac Elvedin Sedic, representatives of the Cantonal Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the Service for Affairs with Foreigners, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
