 |
| Left to right: Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, Hungarian Deputy Secretary of the Interior Krisztina Berta, Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, and Macedonian Interior Minister Mitko Chavkov. |
Meeting in Ohrid, Macedonia, the interior ministers of Austria, Hungary, Macedonia, and Serbia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the steps they plan to undertake to better handle the massive influx of refugees and illegal immigrants pouring through the newly coined “Balkan route.” The ministers concurred that the situation is beyond their individual and even combined ability to address; rather it is a Europe-wide issue requiring more buy-in from other European countries.
“We underline that there are no piecemeal solutions to global migration issues. The document we signed today will represent a platform for further activities and conclusions that will be delivered at the coming meeting of European Union Interior Ministers to discuss this issue," stated Mitko Chavkov, the Macedonian interior minister. He further cautioned that the numbers of refugees following this route to Europe are increasing, reaching approximately 4,000 people daily and straining the capability of the countries along the route to provide adequate shelter and transportation. The refugees—most fleeing violence in the Middle East—arrive via Turkey to the Greek islands. From there, they traverse Greece, continuing on to Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary. Most then travel on to the more affluent countries of the European Union.
Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the interior minister of Austria, stated that a Europe-wide answer must be reached quickly. “This doesn't mean we will solve the problem immediately, but it means that we will engage all institutions to have it resolved, naturally, with the necessary financial support. We need intense joint approach to dealing with the challenges posed by the refugees, particularly the organized crime that appears from the illegal human trafficking. These issues only make the problem worse,” he added.
According to Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, Serbia will continue to assist the refugees but also presumes other countries will pitch in to lighten his countries burden.
Krisztina Berta, of the Hungarian Interior Ministry, reminded others that all members of the European Union and Schengen agreement are obligated to respond according to the applicable laws, stating that “even though we can't find a solution, we do all that we can to protect the border, while at the same time helping the refugees in line with international conventions. We continue to point out the need to change European regulations to speed up the procedures to issue asylum application permits and to change the system for punishing human traffickers.”
Minister Chavkov stated that Macedonia has responded in compliance with the country’s laws and international obligations and has provisionally sealed its border. He stated, “The intention was not to hermetically close the border, but to reduce the influx, so that it is in line with our capacity to register the refugees and provide care to them in a dignified manner.” Addressing his country’s difficult relationship with Greece, Chavkov stated that there are now some operational contacts between police in the two countries. He continued, “I'm not sure whether and to what extent they will yield results. Our intention was to know about the activities Greece is taking on its side of the border, because it became apparent that the Greek border police is not performing any kind of control on its side, or has any humanitarian organizations present to assist the refugees.” He added that he expects Greek authorities will assure that they do not contribute to extreme or perpetual upsurges in the numbers of refugees crossing into Macedonia. He further stated, “We agreed today that the solution is not to disperse the problem, but treat it as near as possible to the root of problem.”
