ZAGREB, July 27, 2018 – The number of migrants trying to enter Croatia illegally has not increased, and an aircraft of the EU’s Frontex border and coastguard agency is helping in monitoring the situation on the ground, Interior Minister Davor Božinović said on Thursday.
The Frontex aircraft sends pictures of the border at sea and on land in real time, which makes it possible for us to plan and deploy our personnel accordingly. This can make it easier and cheaper for us to be as efficient as possible, and the Croatian police are known for their efficiency, Božinović said in response to questions from the press during his visit to Struga Banska, near the Bosnian border, about 100 kilometres southeast of Zagreb.
The minister said that the number of illegal migrants trying to enter the country has not increased, although they make such attempts every day. “I think that every day they get a very clear and concrete message that the Croatian police protect law and order and the interests of Croatia,” he stressed.
Božinović said that Croatia is treating those in need humanely, but will not allow migrants to enter an EU member state illegally, with the help of smugglers. “That is our policy and I am confident that other countries on the so-called Balkan route will sooner or later start doing what Croatia is doing. That is the only viable way to cope with this challenge,” the Croatian interior minister said.
A Frontex aircraft has been monitoring the Croatian land and sea borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Italy since last Wednesday. Images of the border that are transmitted in real time to Frontex headquarters in Warsaw are also visible in the Croatian National Coordination Centre in Zagreb, the National Maritime Centre in Zadar and the Operations Centre in Cetingrad.
