With the adoption of the action plan confirming commitment to European and regional security, the third Sarajevo Migration Dialogue conference, which was held in Jahorina, was closed.
During the two-day meeting, representatives of the countries of the region and experts in the field of migration and asylum discussed all aspects of this security and humanitarian challenge and considered the best solutions for migration management.
The result of the joint work is an action plan that foresees the intensification of cooperation in the fight against people smuggling and human trafficking in the coming period, announced the Ministry of Security of BiH.
As stated, work will be done to improve the identification of migrants and the management of the return of migrants to their countries of origin. For this reason, mutual communication in the area of the Western Balkans towards the countries of origin of the migrants will be additionally strengthened.
At the closing of the conference in Jahorina, BiH Minister of Security Nenad Nešić emphasized the important role of BiH and the countries of the region in preserving European security and that this should be recognized.
“The attitude towards the migrant crisis, the conversations we had here, as well as the high degree of joint focus on the problem is another proof that we belong to modern Europe and deserve to feel the benefits of full membership in the EU as soon as possible. The migrant crisis confirmed that we are an important global crossroads that affects the whole of Europe. Today, we in the Western Balkans represent the success or failure of the great economic and peace project of the EU. I only believe in success and I am sure we will get there. And that we are that generation of politicians who bring some new time to the Balkans,” said Nešić.
The Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ugochi Florence Daniels stated today at the “Sarajevo Dialogue on Migration” conference that last year the number of migrants in the Western Balkans increased by 60 percent compared to 2021.
She emphasized that at the same time, five percent of the local population leave the region every year due to social and economic factors.
Daniels said that it is necessary to continue efforts in the fight against human trafficking circles and to establish a system for the return to the countries of origin of those migrants who do not meet the legal requirements to stay.
The Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nenad Nešić, said that the countries of the Western Balkans will be even more united and united in overcoming all the problems that come with migration.
He added that the geostrategic importance of the region has not been more obvious for a long time than during the migrant crisis, which, in addition to the humanitarian one, also represents a political and security challenge.
“Criminality in the migrant crisis is mostly reflected in illegal transport and trafficking in people, but also in drugs and weapons,” Nešić emphasized.
She pointed out that the countries of the region showed by their attitude towards that crisis that they should become part of the European Union as soon as possible.
Swedish State Secretary for Migration and Asylum Anders Hall emphasized that migration is at the top of the priorities of the Swedish presidency of the European Union, and that the countries of the Western Balkans are key partners of the EU in the effort to preserve a safe and prosperous Europe.
He underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina has a historic opportunity to become a full member of the EU and called for it to be used because the other members will be happy to receive it.
At the conference in Jahorina mountain, an action plan for the implementation of obligations from the Skopje Declaration adopted at the Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Migration Management in the Western Balkans in November 2022 should be adopted.
