Johansson and Cikotić: Improvements in Lipa are encouraging

(Patria) - Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotić, Director of the BiH Border Police Zoran Galić, and Director of the BiH Service for Foreigners' Affairs Slobodan Ujić met in Sarajevo today with the European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson and the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Ambassador Johann Sattler. Commissioner Johansson had previously held meetings at the BiH Council of Ministers and the BiH Presidency, and given that the focus of the visit was on migration, she visited Bihać yesterday and, together with Minister Cikotić, toured the temporary reception center Lipa, to see firsthand the conditions in which migrants are staying.

She emphasized that the improvements in conditions in Lipa are evident and encouraging, especially after the situation in December last year. She also stressed that the EU will continue to provide support and be a strong
partner to BiH in strengthening its capacity for migration management. Representatives of the BiH delegation confirmed BiH's commitment to continue strengthening security and combating illegal migration, as well as creating adequate conditions for migrants' stay in reception centers.

During the meeting, the need to strengthen cooperation in the fight against cross-border crime, especially against smuggling and human trafficking, and the establishment of cooperation between BiH and European Union security agencies were discussed.