In a coordinated Team Europe effort, the European Union and its member states, France, Italy Netherlands and Germany, handed over specialised equipment to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina today in Mostar. The equipment, including drones and camera systems for training purposes, will be used to enhance the operational preparedness and technical skills of Border Police officers. By strengthening modern training capacities, the support contributes to more effective border management and to the prevention, detection and investigation of trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling, while respecting fundamental rights and the protection of vulnerable persons.
The handover forms part of a broader capacity-building package combining specialised equipment and training, with a total investment of approximately EUR 220,000. The Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina retains ownership of the equipment, while training activities are conducted in cooperation with the Agency for Education and Professional Training in Mostar (AEPTM), ensuring institutional ownership, sustainability, and long-term impact. The equipment will be used exclusively for the training of drone pilots and instructors, ensuring sustainable knowledge transfer within the institution.
The support is provided under the EU4FAST project, a regional initiative supporting the fight against trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling across the Western Balkans worth over 30 million euros. The project is financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Italian Ministry of the Interior, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, iand implemented by GIZ.
By supporting the modernisation of border management capacities, the initiative contributes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with European Union standards in the areas of justice, freedom and security. Beyond immediate operational impact, this support is particularly relevant to the country’s reform efforts under EU accession Chapters 23 and 24, underscoring the importance of well-trained institutions equipped to respond to increasingly complex and evolving cross-border challenges.
