Peter Van Der Auweraert for N1: There could be up to 10,000 migrants per day in BiH

(Patria) - Head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission in BiH and Sub-regional Coordinator for the Western Balkans Peter Van Der Auweraert was a guest on Novi dan regarding the pressure of migrants on the borders of the European Union, after the President of Turkey said that Ankara will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe.

Brussels is calling for an urgent meeting of member states due to this situation because of a possible crisis.

Peter Van Der Auweraert told N1 that currently 50 to 60 thousand migrants are trying to reach the green border from Istanbul, that 15,000, or 16,000 are between Turkey and Greece, but they have not yet managed to enter Greece.

"Data from Greece indicate that about 100 migrants have entered Greece, which is a small number. So, a slight increase has been recorded in those arriving on the islands, arriving by sea, but the number has not yet been confirmed. I think the situation is different compared to 2015, and that Greece is making much greater efforts now to control land transport," he told us.

We asked the Head of the IOM Mission what will happen if they reach Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Things need to be distinguished. If we look beyond this new situation, there are many more in Greece than at the end of 2018, and I think we can expect a larger number of migrants in BiH trying to go further into the European Union through Bosnia and Herzegovina. Regardless of what is happening now in Turkey, it is clear that if a larger number reaches Greece due to what is happening in Turkey, the situation will accelerate. There may be a larger number of migrants going through BiH to the EU. Now it depends on the number of those who manage to reach Croatia. Around 7,000 migrants should be expected daily compared to last year. What worries me is that Croatia is increasing border controls, which means the number of migrants in BiH could grow. There could be up to 10,000 migrants per day here. The solution cannot come from BiH. The country's capacities are already strained. It is important to work with the EU to find alternatives, rather than people staying in BiH. Migrants do not stay here long," said Van Der Auweraert as a guest on N1.

He also pointed out that the authorities in BiH are announcing increased border controls, and believes that increased control is part of the solution and something that is legitimate.

"There must be a solution involving the EU and the Western Balkans together because there are more borders through which migrants pass before arriving in BiH. The first border is from Greece to Albania or North Macedonia, depending on which border they cross. I assume this is something that will be discussed in Brussels, and why the EU is calling for a meeting, and that is how to increase control and slow down arrivals," he added.

When asked what if migrants arrive, or whether EU funds will be directed towards preventing illegal crossings in the event of a large wave of migrants towards BiH, he replied that one needs to be careful and not look at humanitarian and security funding as the same thing, because they are two separate issues.

"One of the issues, if you want to ensure the security of BiH citizens, then the humanitarian conditions of migrants must be acceptable, which means if you want to control migrants if they stay in BiH, then it is easier if they are in state-managed centers instead of migrants sleeping in abandoned buildings where they do not even have health checks. Humanitarian funds together with security funds while they are in BiH - this is not separate. As for increased European funds or greater support for border protection, I think there is a willingness to increase support, but it is a matter of negotiation between the authorities in BiH and the EU or other donors," stated Peter Van Der Auweraert.

He also emphasized that there is a willingness from the international community to improve the migrant security management system, but it is important that the BiH authorities have a plan that will state how much money is needed for a specific area.