Recent developments in the Mediterranean Sea have prompted the initiative of Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos to bring the six interior ministers of the Western Balkans in Brussels.
The meeting was focused on the issue of migration and the new route that touches Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and the operational measures to be taken by the countries of the region and the European Union to avoid the deterioration of the situation:
“We are not in the situation where we were 3 years ago. However, we have noticed an increase in the number of immigrants from a new route that affects Bosnia, Albania and Montenegro. Although the numbers are still not alarming, our goal today was to strengthen our co-operation and efforts to collectively avoid the situation getting worse”.
Asked if the plan to set up a refugee camp in Albania was discussed, Commissioner Avramopoulos denied the discussion of this issue in Brussels.
“We have not discussed such an initiative in Brussels with either Albania or any other country. If this issue comes up one day, we will consider it. It is currently not a matter for us”.
Following the conference, Commissioner Avramopoulos admitted that the idea exists, but it is not yet a concrete proposal:
“Do you know a country that has expressed willingness to build such a camp and if you know one, please mention it. If the proposal comes, we will discuss it. We have not turned down any proposal, but we have not even chosen this option. So the idea exists, but it is not yet a concrete proposal so far”.
The meeting with the six ministers of the Western Balkans has further focused on security, the crackdown on criminal group’s networks, immigration and human trafficking networks./tvklan.al
