EU Donates Equipment to BiH Border Police: Heartbeat Detectors to Find Hidden Persons

(Patria) - The European Union, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have handed over specialized equipment to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim of strengthening the operational readiness of officers and improving border management capacities. The handover, which took place on April 27, 2026, in Sarajevo, included a package of equipment with specialized magnifiers for document inspection, heartbeat detectors for finding persons in hidden compartments of trucks and other vehicles – in situations that often involve inhumane conditions and life-threatening risks – and a patrol boat for responding to incidents on rivers, including search and rescue operations in cases where migrants attempt dangerous crossings and risk drowning.

This handover is part of a broader capacity-building assistance package combining specialized equipment and training, with a total investment of approximately 200,000 euros, within the EU4FAST project.

"Effective border management today requires modern technology, skilled personnel, and strong institutions, and this support is designed to address all three aspects. This handover is an example of the practical and concrete support that the European Union, together with its member states, acting as 'Team Europe,' is providing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in addressing the challenges of migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and border management as a whole. Strengthening the capacities of the Border Police also directly helps Bosnia and Herzegovina align with EU standards, particularly from Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession process. The EU remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, through reforms that strengthen security, the rule of law, and regional cooperation. Furthermore, it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to update its contingency plans and be prepared in case of an increased influx of irregular migrants," said Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH.

Director of the BiH Border Police, Mirko Kuprešaković, emphasized the importance of the donated boat for the work of officers in the field.

"Modern equipment enables a faster, more efficient, and safer response from our officers to all the challenges they continuously face in their daily work. This support comes at the right time, when security challenges are becoming increasingly complex, and the need for modernization and strengthening of institutional capacities is more pronounced. I want to express sincere gratitude to the European Union, the embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands, as well as all partners who participated in the realization of the EU4FAST project. I particularly want to highlight the significant support of Frontex to the BiH Border Police, which contributes to strengthening our operational capacities and work efficiency. Your support and trust further motivate us to continue building a professional, modern, and efficient Border Police of BiH," said Kuprešaković.

The German Ambassador to BiH, Alfred Grannas, stated that Germany is proud to contribute to this joint effort, combining national expertise with European resources to achieve concrete and sustainable results within the Team Europe approach.

"The engagement of GIZ and the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) particularly reflects Germany's commitment to sharing practical experience and operational knowledge with partner countries in the Western Balkans region, especially with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last week, we had a good example of what this means in practice: experts from the German Federal Police conducted specialized training for BiH Border Police officers. The main focus was on document inspection and the use of heartbeat detectors, directly linking the equipment with operational skills. Next week, the training will be repeated for another group of trainees, and I am delighted that we have established this practical and successful cooperation," said Grannas.

"Today's handover is not just a delivery of equipment. It reflects a sustainable partnership built on years of cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility. What we are witnessing today is the result of continuous joint efforts to strengthen capacities and respond to evolving border challenges. Our cooperation is strategic and future-oriented. We build on what works, learn from experience, and invest where it makes a real difference. Every contribution is designed to reinforce previous efforts, ensuring continuity, coherence, and measurable results," said Oliver Janser, EU4FAST Project Manager.

Support is provided within the framework of the EU4FAST project, a regional initiative supporting the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling across the Western Balkans, valued at over 50 million euros. The project is funded by the European Union, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, the Ministry of the Interior of Italy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It is implemented by a consortium of implementing partners, led by GIZ.