Ušivak Barracks Ready to Receive Migrants by End of Week

The Minister of Security informed the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina today about the situation in the field of migration regarding the increased influx of migrants into Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to available data, in the period from January 1 to June 3 this year, the Service for Foreigners' Affairs was notified of 5,319 illegal migrants, of whom 4,721 expressed an intention to seek asylum, and 437 migrants submitted an asylum application.

In the Refugee Center of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Salakovac, on June 3 this year, 188 foreigners who expressed an intention or are asylum seekers were accommodated. The Council of Ministers was informed that no asylum has been granted in our country.

The information states that the Action Plan of Emergency Measures is being implemented, which contains five priorities, 17 measures, and 73 activities.

- The priorities are focused on strengthening the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina for better border control and preventing illegal entries into the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, strengthening the capacities of the Service for Foreigners' Affairs and the Migration Sector of the Ministry of Security, strengthening capacities in the area of asylum and intensifying the fight against migrant smuggling, as well as strengthening readmission capacities along with the implementation of readmission agreements. Support for the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina in protecting the border from illegal entry of migrants continues by engaging additional police officers from police agencies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the inclusion of police officers from the Ministry of Interior of Republika Srpska and Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina is underway - the information states.

The capacities of the former barracks "Ušivak" near Hadžići will be used as a mixed center and should be available for migrants by the end of this week, and the center will be managed by the Service for Foreigners' Affairs.

A request for withdrawal of funds from the Migration Fund was forwarded to the Council of Europe Development Bank, and activities on establishing a BiH account for fund payments have been finalized. The Operational Staff for Migration Issues continuously meets and holds weekly meetings.

At the same time, the Ministry of Security, in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, is undertaking activities to organize a high-level meeting to be held on June 7 this year in Sarajevo. The meeting, dedicated to the current situation in the field of migration and defining common future steps, will bring together competent ministers from the region, European Union countries, and representatives of the European Commission and relevant international organizations.