J. Joksimović: Integrated border management - a project crucial for both Serbia and the EU

September 24 2019 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: Integrated border management - a project crucial for both Serbia and the EU

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has highlighted today at the conference "Dialogue on Integrated Border Management" that the topic of integrated border management is very complex and that this project is not only significant for Serbia, but also for the European Union.

“At this stage, this project is vital for both Serbia and the European Union, and in that sense I expect full and constant support from the EU in the continuation of this project. Current security challenges are not only ordinary, we nowadays have an increase in the volume of international trade, education, tourism, cultural exchange”, stated Joksimović, particularly noting the importance of phytosanitary control.

Joksimović has conveyed that security issues are defined in the Action Plan for Chapter 24 and the Integrated Border Management Strategy, adding that integrated border management is a cross-sectoral project that requires an intense and ongoing debate, including communication between all institutions involved in this project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Nebojša Stefanović PhD, has stated today that Serbia is proud of the results achieved in the field of integrated border management and that border police reforms are aimed at increasing the security of the country and citizens, but also reaching European Union (EU) standards in this area.

“The Ministry of Interior strongly supports all reform processes of the border police and other border services, bearing in mind that after visa liberalisation, the opening of the Republic of Serbia's external borders to EU Member States will represent the most visible progress of the country, which will be felt by every citizen and the economy as a direct benefit of the accession process and Republic of Serbia’s membership in the EU”, stated Stefanović at the conference “Dialogue on Integrated Border Management”.

Stefanović has further noted that the process of integrated border management has the full support of all institutions involved in this project.

“We will continue to be absolutely committed to the implementation of these projects and continue to use the funds that we receive and invest ourselves, so as to achieve a more efficient border control, combat cross-border criminality, establish efficient services and phytosanitary protection for the free and safe passage of people and goods”, said Stefanović.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Sem Fabrizi has emphasised that Serbia has made significant progress in implementing the Integrated Border Management Strategy, adding that the EU will continue to provide financial support to reforms in this area.

“Cooperation between Serbia, the European Commission, EU Member States and partners in the region is important in order to achieve a common goal - security and control of borders, which should remain open for the legitimate movement of people and goods”, stated Fabrizi.

He has specified that progress has been made in combating irregular migration in the framework of which the Ministry of Interior has adopted the necessary procedures regarding profiling, control and registration of irregular migrants and adopted new laws on asylum, border control and foreigners, which are in line with the EU acquis.

Furthermore, he has said that border police and customs officers have attended multiple training courses, which has strengthened their capacity to cope with irregular migration and identify victims of human trafficking and human smuggling.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Branislav Nedimović has stated that modern-day safety hazards are not only related to humans, but also to the animal world and the flow of goods of plant origin.

He has stressed that Serbia has had two challenges in the field of phytosanitary control – one that has been resolved and related to the lumpy skin disease, which was particularly present in the cattle breeding sector, where Serbia effectively protected the EU area from the further spread of disease by effective treatment, while the other challenge currently occurring is the African plague, a common problem in both the European Union and Serbia.

“These are challenges that are common and that we all have to deal with together. In the field of phytosanitary and veterinary protection, Serbia is technically equipped and capable to respond adequately to such challenges”, said Nedimović, adding that, by the end of the year, these two sectors will be fully equipped to protect Serbia at border crossing points and comply with the EU acquis.

Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Gojko Stanivuković has stressed that the common goal of the Customs Administration and all other institutions involved in integrated border management in Serbia is to develop borders that will, in accordance with European standards, be open for free movement, but also controlled and protected from illegal activities.

Source: Tanjug