Skopje, 28 October 2023 (MIA) – In an interview with MIA, the Minister of Internal Affairs Oliver Spasovski was asked whether there is a danger that the Balkan route will bring radical and terrorist threats to North Macedonia, especially after the latest escalating conflicts in the Middle East, he replied at the moment there are no indications of possible rise of wave of migration or attempts of entry into the country's territory.

Spasovski noted that since April 2023, the border has been secured together with Frontex officers and that illegal entry into the country has been declined by 50 percent compared to the same period last year.

This demonstrates that not only is there a good border management, but also inside the country, it makes the country unattractive for migrants to cross. We have efficiency in detecting the smuggling of migrants, but the procedure also shows that we have a decline compared to last year, and once again I confirm the commitment of the border police of North Macedonia in preserving peace and stability,” Spasovski noted.

He said that all situations will be monitored, and that the security implications can be real, not only for developments in the Middle East, but also in the neighbouring area.

In the interview with MIA, Spasovski referred to the large migration wave that happened to in 2015, 2016 was a serious security and economic challenge, but he also stressed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine generated the possibility for new migration flows.

He said that now the war in Israel and the Palestinian territories is also creating possibilities for new migration flows.

“Thereby we are obliged as security structures, services, etc. to make an analysis on a daily basis, all with the aim of preserving the peace and security of the citizens. And that is what we are doing,” Spasovski said in the interview with MIA.

Minister Spasovski emphasized the remark of the EU, which was also reaffirmed at the EU - Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs in Skopje, that North Macedonia is well positioned in terms of the migrant crisis and possible illegal entry into the country's territory, in addition, as he said, due to the fact that we signed an operational agreement with Frontex in April 2023.