EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson visited Migrant Camp

During her visit to Bihac yesterday, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson visited the Lipa migrant camp, and said that the necessary contribution and engagement of all parts of the country in resolving the migrant crisis was necessary.

EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson talked about the migration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina with State Minister of Security Selma Cikotic, as well as representatives of cantonal and city authorities.

”I am pleased with the visible progress in this location, because it is necessary to provide all people with a dignified treatment – worthy of a man. We talked about the security and humanitarian aspects of the situation with migrants and refugees in BiH, that is, the unquestionable support of the European Union in all this. It is clear that the state authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina still have a lot to do and improve, given that the management of the migration process is one of the 14 conditions for joining the European Union. Also, a more even distribution of burdens and responsibilities is necessary in this situation, or to be more specific, the contribution and engagement of all parts of the state is needed,” said Johansson, BHRT writes.

BiH Minister of Security Selmo Cikotic finally pointed out the desired course of action when it comes to the migration process in the country, which is fully supported by European Union officials. There has been obvious progress lately, starting from the improvement of conditions here in the Lipa camp, to a number of other realized activities.

”That course that we have taken in the last few months has the full understanding and support of the European Union and that is what encourages me. Our shortcomings have long been recognized, in terms of uneven distribution of the burden of the migration process, lack of institutional response, as well as adequate legal solutions, but finally our huge efforts and efforts to manage the migrant situation as efficiently as possible stand out,” added Minister Cikotic.

The Prime Minister of Una-Sana Canton (USK) Mustafa Ruznic and the Mayor of Bihac Suhret Fazlic emphasized the importance of such a visit, and characterized it as the best indicator of the seriousness of the European Union’s engagement in resolving the complex situation with migrants and refugees, especially in this part of the country. We have been a partner and cooperated with everyone from day one, but it is clear that we cannot bear the full burden of the migrant crisis in the country.

We have clearly stated our views and possibilities, and expressed the desire to, together with the competent state institutions and with the support of the European Union, significantly improve the security, humanitarian and every other aspect of the migration process in the canton. We want to help all people, with the primary protection of the safety of our citizens and their property – said Prime Minister Ruznic.