The European Commission yesterday organized a Summit of European Union and Turkey, where they discussed the policy towards refugees and probable closing of the so-called “Balkan route”. BiH also expects the outcome of the meeting in Brussels, so that it can analyze the possible repercussion and consequences of the refugee crisis on BiH, said the Director of the Service for Foreigners Affairs, Slobodan Ujić.
The European Union aims at stopping the flow of refugees towards the countries of the Western Europe, which is why the main topic of yesterday’s Summit in Brussels was the closing of the “Balkan route”. A promise was made to Turkey that they will receive aid amounting to three billion EUR, and Turkey is expected to return the European migrants from its territory.
More than a million illegal migrants entered the EU last year, mostly from Turkey to Greece. Around 13.000 refugees are currently in the north of Greece, after Macedonia closed its border with the support of Serbia, Hungary and Slovenia.
When it comes to BiH, the situation is carefully monitored. If the Balkan route is completely closed, a larger influx of refugees should not be expected in BiH, except the illegal crossings of the border.
“What is important is that the contract on readmission is respected. Readmission means the voluntary or forced return of persons who are unjustifiably staying at the territory of some country to their countries of origin. It is evident that a large number of European migrants will appear. We have an agreement on readmission with both Serbia and Montenegro, in case refugees enter BiH from one of these countries. It is important to note that smuggling of migrants and refugees is very likely to appear,” Ujić said.
It is evident that refugees will seek for a new exit if the Balkan route closes and relevant institutions in BiH state that they are ready for organized action.
(Source: klix.ba)
