Joint Frontex operation begins – safer borders, fortified battle against illegal migration
Skopje, 20 April 2023 (MIA) – We are proud as a nation that the Frontex agreement is the first one signed in Macedonian, with no additions, footnotes and asterisks, proof of the protection of the Macedonian language and identity, putting it on the same playing field as all other languages and identities of the EU member states, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski in his address at Thursday's launch event of the joint Frontex operation in North Macedonia, as part of the agreement implemented by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), in cooperation with the country's police.
PM Kovachevski thanked the MPs who voted for the ratification of the agreement and called for those who doubted and criticized it to apologize to him and the Foreign Minister.
“Frontex to us is the protection of our borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country, a timely response to all security threats to our country, peaceful sleep for our children, migration movement control, dealing with international crime, acknowledging our commitment to preserve and promote the Macedonian language on our path to European integration, applying professional European standards and preserving international peace and security,” Kovachevski said.
He continued to say that the country keeps moving towards the EU and aligning legislation with the EU, aware of the challenges and the gravity of making brave and true decisions, in the past and the near future.
“There is no going back when you believe in justice and a greater good. The EU is the only stable and safe path for us,” Kovachevski said.
In the past, North Macedonia has shown its commitment to prevent illegal border crossing and fight criminal groups that lurk in the shadows, making profits off human disaster, said Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.
EU Ambassador David Geer said this will make North Macedonia’s borders safer, and Europe’s efforts to combat illegal migration, migrant smuggling and other criminal activities will strengthen.
Hans Leijtens, Frontex's Executive Director and co-host of the event, said that North Macedonia is a committed partner dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the borders.
As host of the ceremony, Minister Spasovski said this joint event sends a very important message – that we are not alone in dealing with illegal migration, and modern security challenges require a partner approach and a mutual response.
“This will inevitably lead to greater security for our citizens and the EU. We take these strides together as equal partners, because joint and coordinated access is the only way we can deal with global challenges,” Minister Spasovski said.
Frontex operations will cover the southern border with Greece first, and an expansion is then planned for the borders with Serbia and Albania.
Frontex police officers and the country's border police will participate in mutual training activities to develop the capacities of border control through operative information exchange, professional experience and best practices, and they will operate under the command and control of the Macedonian border police. dk/nn/
