Borrell on the migrant crisis: Implement the BiH Council of Ministers decision without delay

(Patria) - The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell stated that "we are witnessing a serious humanitarian situation involving migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

"More than 900 migrants remain without shelter in difficult winter conditions after the closure of the Lipa reception center. This further exacerbates the situation when approximately 3,000 migrants are without adequate shelter.

Bosnia and Herzegovina authorities at all levels must urgently resolve the difficult situation. There is a reception center in Bihać with EU support of 3.5 million euros that could provide shelter for the winter months, as emphasized by EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson in her phone calls with the Prime Minister of the Una-Sana Canton and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The decisions of the Council of Ministers of December 21 and again today, December 31, on the temporary reopening of this center must be implemented without further delay.

The current situation is completely unacceptable, and therefore the EU calls on the BiH authorities at all levels to continue working with utmost urgency on a longer-term solution based on shared responsibility," said Borrell.