Mektić and Božinović: Continuation of Joint Police Patrols Along the State Border Agreed

Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektić met today in Slavonski Brod with the Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Croatia Davor Božinović, with whom he discussed security cooperation, particularly border security and migration management, the new EU Enlargement Strategy, and Croatia's preparation for accession to the Schengen Area.

The current situation at the border was assessed as stable. Given the recent slight increase in the number of illegal migrants, the ministers discussed the possibility of strengthening bilateral police cooperation, including continued cooperation during the upcoming tourist season.

Continuation of joint police patrols along the state border was agreed. Considering the importance of effective management of migration flows, the ministers discussed the importance of implementing the Agreement on the Surrender and Acceptance of Persons Whose Entry or Stay is Illegal and the implementation of readmission agreements, as well as their uniform application at all parts of the border.

Ministers Mektić and Božinović welcomed the EU Enlargement Strategy and agreed on the importance of granting candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Minister Božinović confirmed Croatia's support for the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the readiness of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior to provide all necessary assistance to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina in meeting the criteria for EU membership. In this regard, the continuation of the transfer of experiences in the European integration process was agreed.

The ministers supported the initiative from the Enlargement Strategy to strengthen cooperation in the area of security, which includes enhanced cooperation in the fight against organized crime and corruption, terrorism, violent extremism, as well as border security and migration management.

Minister Božinović also informed Minister Mektić about the preparation of the Croatian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2020, which, in addition to economic growth, development, and connectivity, will place special emphasis on EU enlargement policy and security issues.