Latest on the migrant crisis in the region
In seeking the solution to the refugee crisis it is necessary to find joint and comprehensive measures and to develop the best possible cooperation between the countries on the refugee route, said Croatian Interior Minister Vlaho Orepić and Slovenian Interior Minister Vesna Gjerkeš Žnidar after their meeting in Ljubljana where they discussed the problem of the influx of refugees, reports Večernji List on February 22, 2016.
After the talks with his Slovenian counterpart, Orepić said that the migration crisis was essentially a humanitarian issue, which should be taken into account, but that it is understandable that Germany and Austria, which are the final destinations for the majority of migrants and refugees, are facing the greatest burden.
When the reception of refugees and migrants in these countries is stopped, it will be necessary to separate the procedures for admittance and transit of migrants, and until then it is necessary to develop the ability for the problems to be solved on the route from the Macedonian border to the final destinations, said Orepić, warning that the key issue was providing transportation and accommodation for people, after the initial profiling procedures in Macedonia are performed.
Slovenian minister said that they have agreed about the cooperation in controlling migration waves and emphasised the efforts to establish effective controls on the Macedonian-Greek border, which was initiated by Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar. “Migrant crisis cannot be solved by unilateral measures, and it is necessary to look for joint and comprehensive solutions”, said Gjerkeš Žnidar, adding that migration wave should be reduced and better controlled.
She added that Slovenia will, in accordance with the recent recommendations of the European Council, consistently apply the Schengen provisions on its border with Croatia and that those migrants who do not qualify for entry into the EU and the Schengen area or who have not immediately applied for asylum in countries where they had a chance should be stopped at the EU’s external borders.
“The message of the last EU summit is clear, and Croatia is an EU member and a candidate for membership in the Schengen area. Its task is to protect the external borders of the EU. I am pleased that the new Croatian government is aware of these obligations”, said Slovenian Interior Minister Vesna Gjerkeš Žnidar, adding that her Croatian counterpart Vlaho Orepić had guaranteed that the mutual cooperation will include regular and timely exchange of information about the flow and transit of migrants.
